What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective audit of patients admitted with severe odontogenic infections to an Australian Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit between 2006 and 2015 to establish the incidence and review management of head and neck necrotizing fasciitis.
What They Found
Out of 672 patients admitted for severe odontogenic infections, 3 (0.45%) were identified with necrotizing fasciitis (NF). The incidence of head and neck NF in South Australia was 48 per 100,000 infections per year, and two of the three NF patients survived.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with severe odontogenic infections should seek prompt medical attention, as these can rarely progress to life-threatening conditions like necrotizing fasciitis. While conventional surgical and medical treatments are primary, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may offer an additional treatment option for these severe infections, especially in complex cases.
Canadian Relevance
This study was conducted in Australia and has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are limited by its retrospective design, small sample size of necrotizing fasciitis cases, and data from a single institution.