Document Type : Case Series

Authors

• Adesina Oluwafemi Adewale ¹
• Opaleye Taofiq Olamide ²
• Salmai Ajibola Yussuf ²
• Idowu Omobolaji Stephen ²

¹ Department of Consultant and Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos State, Nigeria

² Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck is a rare but rapidly progressive infection involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fascia. We report 4 cases of cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis with similar patterns of presentation. All the 4 cases presented with an odontogenic source and no underlying medical condition. All the patients had tooth extraction and serial wound debridement. Three of these patients recovered well, and healing of the wound occurred by secondary intention. One patient had a resultant neck defect, which was repaired with a supraclavicular island flap after the infection had subsided. We advocate the importance of early detection of necrotizing fasciitis with or without an underlying medical condition and an aggressive medical and surgical intervention. Additionally, eradication of the source of infection is highly indicated to reduce the mortality of this disease.

Keywords

• Neck
• Fasciitis
• necrotizing
• infection
• Tooth