Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Odontogenic Maxillofacial Space Infection – A twelve year Retrospective Study

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Priyanka Das Jesabel1 , Ashwini K B2 , Guruprasad L3 , Niranjan Belgode4 , Deepak Khakhla5 , Ajendra Suresh

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to review the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of odontogenic maxillofacial space infections and to identify the potential risk factors associated with increasing hospital length of stay in patients with odontogenic maxillofacial space infections. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients treated for odontogenic maxillofacial space infections was conducted. Results: Out of 141 patients identified, 59.57% were females and the mean age of the study group was 36.81 years. 9.93% of the patients were diabetic, and the most common space involved was the buccal space. The mean WBC count was 12329.93 cells/cu.mm, and the most common bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus. Average length of hospital stay was 6.06 days. Space involvement (p= 0.0095), WBC count (p=0.0124) were found to significantly increase the length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Maxillofacial Space infections of Odontogenic origin are important due to their high rate of mortality and morbidity. The formulation of best treatment regimen requires a multi-factorial approach. If not treated at an early stage they may rapidly evolve and spread to adjacent anatomical structures, leading to life threatening complications, and occasionally to death, despite skillful management.

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