Easy come, easy go: A simple and effective orthodontic enamel anchor for endotracheal tube stabilization in a child with extensive facial burns

• Published in: Burns Vol. 35; no. 7; pp. 983 - 986
• Main Authors: Sakata, Shinichiro, Hallett, Kerrod B, Brandon, Matthew S, McBride, Craig A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anchor; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Wires; Burns; Burns - therapy; Child; Critical Care; Device Removal; Facial Injuries - therapy; Fixation; General aspects; Graft; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal - instrumentation; Intubation, Intratracheal - methods; Materials Testing - methods; Medical sciences; Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures - instrumentation; Paediatric; Plastic surgery; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Paediatric; Graft; Plastic surgery; Anchor; Fixation; Human; Skin disease; Burn; Tooth enamel; Treatment; Face; Child; Trachea
• ISSN: 0305-4179; 1879-1409
• DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2009.01.007

Abstract Endotracheal tube stabilization in patients with facial burns is crucial and often challenging. We present a simple method of securing an endotracheal tube using two orthodontic brackets bonded to the maxillary central incisor teeth and a 0.08″ stainless steel ligature wire. Our technique is less traumatic, and is easier to maintain oral hygiene than with previously described methods. This anchorage system takes 5 min to apply and can be removed on the ward without the need for a general anaesthetic.