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01.03.19
Fisher C, Singh T
NZ Dental Journal, March 2019
There are many possible complications of dental extractions in a medically compromised patient.
While most dentists would look at a patient’s medical history and identify issues with anticoagulants,bisphosphonates, or immunosuppression – it is unlikely that necrotising fasciitis would be considered as a potential complication. Necrotising fasciitis is a rare and severe soft tissue infection characterised by rapid and progressive spread to the fascia and subcutaneous tissues. The condition is rare in the head and neck region but the most common cause is odontogenic infection in those predisposed. Despite aggressive treatment, fatality from necrotising fasciitis remains high.
Given its association with odontogenic infection and facial trauma, relevant predisposing factors and guidelines for practitioners are presented. We report a case of cervical necrotising fasciitis following dental extraction and its surgical management.
