[Nasal intubation for frontobasal fractures?]

Abstract

In most cases the surgical management of craniofacial fractures involves a correction of the occlusion. This requires nasal intubation. In a frontobasal fracture with simultaneous CSF fistula, nasal intubation is thought to increase the risk of meningitis. An analysis of the records of 160 patients with frontobasal fractures and CSF fistulae revealed that the route of intubation had no influence on the post-operative complication rate. Nasal intubation is therefore not contraindicated in frontobasal fractures with CSF fistulae.