Oral & Maxillofacial Space Infections – A 10-Year Retrospective Study

Oral & Maxillofacial space infections have been recognized since the time of Galen in the second century. In spite of great advances in health care, these infections remain a major problem. Oral & Maxillofacial space infection ranges from periapical abscess to superficial and deep neck infections. The infections generally follow the path of least resistance through connective tissue and along fascial planes [1]. The infections spread to distant sites from the site of origin. Oral & Maxillofacial infections can be potentially lethal infections, at times. Various life-threatening complications associated with oral & maxillofacial infections are respiratory obstruction, necrotizing fasciitis, descending mediastinitis, pericarditis, brain abscess, and sepsis. The successful management of orofacial infection depends on the early recognition of orofacial infection. Appropriate and prompt therapy is mandatory for successful management. Thorough knowledge of anatomy is necessary to predict pathways of spread and to drain these spaces adequately. We present our experience in treating oral & maxillofacial space infection at our centre