Endotracheal intubation in severe post-burn mentosternal contracture: An anesthetist’s challenge: A case report
, , ,
- 1 Department of Anesthesia, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
- 2 Department of Burns/ Plastic Surgery, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Post-burn mentosternal contracture presents major challenges during airway management due to restricted mouth opening, distorted cervical anatomy, trachael deviation and limited neck mobility in reconstructive surgery.
Case Presentation: A 19-year-old male with severe type 3b mentosternal contracture following extensive flame burns, who required reconstructive surgery. A planned strategy involving facemask ventilation, contracture release under sedation and local anesthesia, and subsequent videolaryngoscopic intubation was employed. Following release, neck extension and mouth opening improved, allowing successful bougie-assisted intubation despite significant anatomical distortion. Intra-operative and post-operative periods were uneventful.
Conclusion: This highlights the need for individualized airway strategies in severe post-burn neck contractures, supporting contracture release prior to intubation where conventional or fibreoptic techniques may be impractical.
Dates & metrics
- Received
- 16 Jan 2026
- Accepted
- 24 May 2026
- Published
- 2 Nov 2026
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How to cite this article
Anokwute II, Ozor C, Odiakosa M, Nwachukwu O. Endotracheal intubation in severe post-burn mentosternal contracture: An anesthetist’s challenge: A case report. J. Sci. Innov. Anesthesiol. 2026;1(3):90-94. doi:10.65929/JSIA.2026.1.3.006
Anokwute, I. I., Ozor, C., Odiakosa, M., & Nwachukwu, O. (2026). Endotracheal intubation in severe post-burn mentosternal contracture: An anesthetist’s challenge: A case report. Journal of Scientific Innovations in Anesthesiology, 1(3), 90-94. https://doi.org/10.65929/JSIA.2026.1.3.006
Iheanyi Ihunanya Anokwute, C. Ozor, M.C. Odiakosa, and O. Nwachukwu. "Endotracheal intubation in severe post-burn mentosternal contracture: An anesthetist’s challenge: A case report." Journal of Scientific Innovations in Anesthesiology, vol. 1, no. 3, 2026, pp. 90-94. https://doi.org/10.65929/JSIA.2026.1.3.006
Iheanyi Ihunanya Anokwute, C. Ozor, M.C. Odiakosa, and O. Nwachukwu. "Endotracheal intubation in severe post-burn mentosternal contracture: An anesthetist’s challenge: A case report." Journal of Scientific Innovations in Anesthesiology 1, no. 3 (2026): 90-94. https://doi.org/10.65929/JSIA.2026.1.3.006
Anokwute, I. I., Ozor, C., Odiakosa, M., and Nwachukwu, O. (2026) 'Endotracheal intubation in severe post-burn mentosternal contracture: An anesthetist’s challenge: A case report', Journal of Scientific Innovations in Anesthesiology, 1(3), pp. 90-94. https://doi.org/10.65929/JSIA.2026.1.3.006
© 2026 the authors. Published by REVO Publication. This article is distributed under CC BY 4.0, which permits use and redistribution provided the original work is properly cited.