Tracheostomy Protocol in Maxillofacial Surgery Patients: Our Experience during Surgical Outreach Programmes.

Background: Airway management in maxillofacial surgery can be challenging due to anatomical and pathological obstructions. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the indications of tracheostomy, duration of the surgical procedure, duration of tracheostomy cannulation, and the complications associated with tracheostomy in oral and maxillofacial surgical outreach programmes. Design of the Study: A retrospective study. Setting: Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation/International Craniofacial Academy, Abuja. Material and Methods: Data collected included demographics, indications for tracheostomy, type of incision, procedural timing of the procedure, duration of cannulation, and postoperative complications. Ethical clearance was obtained, and data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20, with results presented as descriptive statistics. Statistical significance was set at Results: The study included 27 patients (59.3% male, 40.7% female), with a mean age of 24.6 years. Primary indications for tracheostomy were temporomandibular joint ankylosis (48.1%), large orofacial tumors (40.7%), and ankylosis due to Noma (11.1%). Tracheostomies were performed electively in 81.5% of cases, while 18.5% were emergency procedures. The average time to complete each tracheostomy was approximately 27.5 min. Cannulation lasted between 24 and 48 h, with an average of 26.7 h. Complications were recorded in 2 (7.4%) cases. Conclusion: Tracheostomy was performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, with an average operation time of approximately 27.5 min. The procedure could be elective or emergency, and cannulation was maintained for a short duration of 27 h. Tracheostomy is a safe, adaptable, and essential technique for airway management in maxillofacial surgeries.