Use of custom silicone putty for nasal tube stabilisation in orthognathic surgery

Abstract

Orthognathic surgery typically contraindicates standard oral intubation techniques. Nasal intubation may distort the nasal profile thus complicating orthognathic surgery involving the midface. Using silicone putty to stabilise the tube in a custom position may minimise these changes. A prospective analysis was undertaken of patients undergoing nasal intubation with and without silicone putty stabilisation. Pre- and post-intubation measurements were made of nasolabial angle and interalar width. Silicone putty significantly reduced the changes of nasal intubation on nasolabial angle (p < 0.001) but did not affect interalar distance (p > 0.05). Silicone putty should be considered to stabilise the nasotracheal tube in orthognathic surgery.