Profuse Orofacial Bleeding in Surgery — 28yo Man | Trauma Surgery | SMLE Q#1292
SMLE Question #1292
Surgery
Trauma Surgery
Objective: OBJ-TRM-AIRWAY-01
Last updated: February 2026
A 28-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed road traffic accident. He is unconscious with profuse orofacial bleeding and obvious bilateral mandibular fractures causing marked lower-face deformity. Blood and secretions pool in the mouth. Airway repositioning and suctioning do not improve patency. Bag-valve-mask ventilation is ineffective despite a two-person technique because of a poor mask seal and ongoing bleeding. What is the most appropriate immediate method to secure his airway?
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