Subcutaneous emphysema related to dental procedures.
10.5125/jkaoms.2018.44.5.212
- Author:
Cheol Hee JEONG
1
;
Seungkyu YOON
;
Seung Won CHUNG
;
Jae Young KIM
;
Kwang Ho PARK
;
Jong Ki HUH
Author Information
1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea. omshuh@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Subcutaneous emphysema;
Dental care;
Mediastinal emphysema;
Cervicofacial;
Iatrogenic disease
- MeSH:
Dental Care;
Diagnosis;
Emphysema;
Follow-Up Studies;
Hospitalization;
Humans;
Iatrogenic Disease;
Mandible;
Maxilla;
Mediastinal Emphysema;
Medical Records;
Neck;
Retrospective Studies;
Subcutaneous Emphysema*;
Tooth
- From:Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
2018;44(5):212-219
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze 11 cases of subcutaneous emphysema associated with dental procedures from a single hospital and discuss approaches for accurate diagnosis and treatment of the condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 11 patients who were treated for subcutaneous emphysema related to dental procedures between January 2009 and April 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with subcutaneous emphysema within the facial area or that spread to the neck and beyond, including the facial region, were assigned to two groups and compared in terms of age, sex, and durations of antibiotic use, hospitalization, and follow-up until improvement. The correlation between location of the origin tooth and range of emphysema spread was analyzed. RESULTS: The average durations of antibiotic use during conservative treatment and follow-up until improvement were 8.55 days (standard deviation [SD], 4.46 days) and 1.82 weeks (SD, 1.19 weeks), respectively. There was no intergroup difference in duration of antibiotic use (P=0.329) or follow-up (P=0.931). Subcutaneous emphysema was more common after dental procedures involving the maxilla or posterior region than after those involving the mandible or anterior region. There was no significant difference in air distribution according to location of the air orifice (maxilla, mandible, or both; P=0.106). CONCLUSION: Upon adequate conservative treatment accompanied by prophylactic antibiotic treatment considering the risk of infection, patients showed signs of improvement within a few days or weeks. There was no significant difference in treatment period between patients with subcutaneous emphysema localized to the facial region and those with subcutaneous emphysema spreading to the neck or beyond. These findings need to be confirmed by analysis of additional cases.
