Odontogenic Maxillofacial Space Infections: A 5-Year Retrospective Review in Navi Mumbai

The aim of this study is to comprehensively review and analyse pure odontogenic maxillofacial space infections in a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai over a period of 5 years.

A retrospective analysis of 315 patients treated at Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital at Nerul, Navi Mumbai, from January 2007 to December 2011 was done. Multiple variables were analysed. Localised infections like dentoalveolar infections without space involvement and infection of non-odontogenic cause were excluded from the study.

Analysis of the records was done. Majority of patients were from lower socioeconomic background and were daily wage workers who had either consulted a general physician or a general dental practitioner or had self-medicated themselves before presenting to us with acute symptoms. Early recognition and prompt treatment involving intravenous antibiotics with extraction of involved tooth/teeth and incision and drainage helped in resolution of infections in a span of 72 h. Medically compromised patients had longer duration of hospital stay as compared to the patients who had no underlying medical condition. Majority of space infections involved multiple spaces and local anaesthesia with sedation was found to be the satisfactory mode of anaesthesia. Complications were very few.

We concurred that any form of odontogenic maxillofacial space infection should be rendered prompt and aggressive treatment and hospitalisation should be recommended wherever required.