Superficial skin necrosis as a rare complication of inferior alveolar nerve block in Egyptian child: A case report

Abstract

The aim of the presented case report was to report a rare complication of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block (IANB) in a 5‐year‐and‐4‐month‐old child and to discuss the possible complications.Five years and four months old Egyptian male child presented in paediatric dentistry practice complaining of pain in the lower right primary molars that kept him awake all night. Examination revealed decayed lower right primary first and second molars and the treatment plan was designed to include a pulpectomy procedure for tooth 85 and a pulpotomy procedure for tooth 84. Administration of 1 mL of arctician 4% with 1:100,000 epinephrine anaesthetic solution using the inferior alveolar nerve block technique was done uneventfully. Then, the dental procedure was done as usual. The next morning, the child presented to the dental practice with a non‐painful change in colour in the lower part of the child's right cheek, with small scanty blisters.The possible causes of such a complication and the proper management are discussed in this article with a confirmation of the superficial skin necrosis as the most possible cause.Although proper awareness of the anatomical structures of the orofacial region along with meticulous administration technique of local anaesthesia is mandatory for the everyday dental practice, the dentist may face possible, sometimes rare complications of local anaesthesia and he should be able to manage them probably.