Knowledge Levels of Medical Students Related to Airway Management in Patients with Maxillofacial Trauma

Abstract

Objective Airway management in maxillofacial injuries is quite complex and involves many difficulties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge level of medical faculty students about airway management in maxillofacial injuries. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on fifth and sixth-grade students of the Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University. After the literature review, a questionnaire was prepared to measure the knowledge level of the students about airway management in maxillofacial trauma. Two hundred eighty students participated in the study. Results Thirty percent of the students stated that they performed laryngeal mask airway (LMA), 61.11% orotracheal intubation, and 17.77% nasoendotracheal intubation. Thirty four point forty four percent of the students stated that they did not do any of these applications. Only 52.2% of the students stated that they used a traditional laryngoscope with Macintosh blades. While 81.1% of the students stated that they did not intubate at all in a patient with maxillofacial trauma, and 74.4% thought that a patient with maxillofacial trauma did not have the education and skills to perform intubation comfortably. Conclusion Results of the study reveal that students' knowledge and experience in airway management in emergencies such as maxillofacial trauma were insufficient. This deficiency was especially about the tools and methods used to provide airway patency. Keywords Maxillofacial trauma, airway management, emergency aid, medical students.