Bilateral mandibular subcondylar fractures contributing to airway obstruction.

Bilateral mandibular fracture contributing to airway obstruction is a well-understood phenomenon. This is typically described as a rather immediate or acute process. After trauma, the production of a "flail mandible" with concomitant loss of support of tongue muscles is thought to result in obstruction of the upper airway. An unusual case in which the bilateral mandibular fractures contributed to an airway obstruction 10 days after the initial trauma is described. The cause is explained and methods of prevention and treatment are presented.