A 39-year-old man with extensive maxillofacial injuries following an automobile accident was brought to the hospital. Evaluation of the airway revealed partial obstruction. Despite an obvious fractured mandible, an attempt was made to move the tongue forward from the posterior pharyngeal wall by pushing the angles of the mandible forward. This maneuver failed to move the tongue, and it became necessary to hold the tongue forward directly in order to pull it away from the poste- rior pharyngeal wall. At times, why is it not possible to pull the tongue forward in the presence of a fractured mandible?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of A 39-year-old man with extensive maxillofacial injuries following an automobile accident was brought to the hospital. Evaluation of the airway revealed partial obstruction. Despite an obvious fractured mandible, an attempt was made to move the tongue forward from the posterior pharyngeal wall by pushing the angles of the mandible forward. This maneuver failed to move the tongue, and it became necessary to hold the tongue forward directly in order to pull it away from the poste- rior pharyngeal wall. At times, why is it not possible to pull the tongue forward in the presence of a fractured mandible?

A 39-Year-Old Man with Extensive Maxillofacial Injuries Following an Automobile