Korean J Anesthesiol.  2006 Mar;50(3):322-326. 10.4097/kjae.2006.50.3.322.

The Experiences of Airway Management for Anesthesia of Patients with Postburn Mentosternal Contractures: 10 cases report

• Woo CH
• Mun SH
• Bae JY
• Kwak IS
• Kim HS
• Kim KM

• KMID: 1936735
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2006.50.3.322

Abstract

Postburn sternomental contractures (PBSMC) of the neck can cause difficulties in endotracheal intubation when the cervical hyperextension and lifting of the mandible are impaired. Ten patients with a healed burn of the neck were assessed prior to surgery using the modified Mallampati test, and by measuring the sternomental distance, interincisor gap with their mouth fully open, and using Onah's classification system for PBSMC. Difficult endotracheal intubation was predicted. The patients were intubated successfully with a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The fiberoptic bronchoscope was found to be a useful device for managing patients with PBSMC. Moreover, Onah's classification system can be used for assessing postburn contractures.

Keyword

difficult intubation; fiberoptic; postburn sternomental contractures

MeSH Terms

Airway Management*
Anesthesia*
Bronchoscopes
Burns
Classification
Contracture*
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal
Lifting
Mandible
Mouth
Neck