Cancrum oris: principles of management and reconstructive surgery

A survey of 140 cases of cancrum oris in Nigerian Africans is presented. The salient clinical features, the problems of management and the modern approaches to the reconstruction of facial deformities seen in this disease are described. Mainly affected were children under the age of 10 years and the commonest involvement was the full thickness of the cheek. A high incidence of ankylosis was noted and the methods of anaesthesia and surgical correction of ankylosis are examined. The number of patients presenting for reconstruction of facial defects due to cancrum oris appears to be increasing. Preventive measures that may reduce the incidence of the disease are suggested.