Life-threatening oro-facial infections

ABSTRACT

Four cases of oro-facial infection leading to life-threatening complications are reported. Although all had been treated with antibiotics prior to con-sultation; lack of surgical intervention had allowed the infection to progress. These cases are a re-minder that acute spreading odontogenic infection can be life-threatening. Definitive treatment in-cludes airway management; adequate resuscitation and optimization of pre-existing medical condi-tions prior to removal of the source of infection and drainage of pus. High dose intravenous antibi-otics should be administered; with the initial choice of antibiotics modified in the light of sub-sequent bacteriological reports. The treatment of all odontogenic infections must include removal of the focus of infection; and drainage of pus