Anaesthetic management of maxillofacial trauma

Maxillofacial trauma, alone or as part of polytrauma, can pose a significant challenge to the anaesthesiologist in the emergency department, in the operating room and in the intensive care unit as it may hamper effective airway management in these patients. Detailed knowledge of maxillofacial and airway anatomy can help in understanding the mechanism, diagnosing the extent and severity of injury and formulating a proper airway management plan. Basic principles of trauma care should be followed at every step. Moreover, the presence of experienced personnel with adequate airway expertise is essential. Anaesthetic drugs and techniques should be optimally tailored to ensure maximal patient safety.