Rare complications in OS Flashcards
When should Ludwig’s angina be suspected?
Hot potato voice
Difficulty breathing
Swelling
Cellulitis
Pus draining from socket
Where does Ludwig’s angina spread to?
Bilateral pharynx, airway, mediatinitis
Tx for Ludwig’s angina
OMFS urgent ref
IV abs - co-amoxiclav 1.2g 8 hourly
May have emergency incisions and drainage under GA
May require airway management and tracheostomy
What in an OAC?
When maxillary teeth have roots in the maxillary sinus (complex XLA, bulbous roots)
Sinusitis of cysts may increase the risk of an OAC.
What are the symptoms of an OAC?
Fluid draining into the nose when they drink
Air bubbles present at the extraction site
Pain
Unpleasant taste/smell
IOE for OAC
Look for bubbles
Valsalvar manœuvre
Altered nasal resonance
Whistling
Good light and access to visualise
Pus/fluid drainage
Investigations for OAC
PA or OPG to check for loss of continuity of sinus floor
>5mm - CBCT
OAC management in primary care
Non surgical antral regime:
If <5mm, leave and monitor
Avoid nose blowing
Use decongestants - ephedrine nasal drops
If infected - consider 0.9% saline irrigation and ABs - amoxicillin or doxycycline
Removable obturator to cover defect
Refer to OMFD
Surgical OAC intervention
Large and symptomatic defects - buccal advancement flap or buccal fat pad coverage
What are the 4 extensions of the buccal fat pad?
temporal, buccal, pterygoid and pterygopalatine
What happens to long term OACs?
Become epithelialised and are then called OA fistulas
Describe the placement of a buccal fat pad over an OAC
Buccal fat pad flap
Incision made via periosteum, gentle handling of fat pad
Buccal advancement flap placed over that with mattress suture
2x layered closure and may be more robust
Option for second surgery if first advancement flap breaks down or suffers wound dehiscence
What are the managements options for larger and symptomatic OACs?
Surgical - Palatal rotation flap
- Full thickness palatal harvest - greater palatine artery
- Subepithelial dissection of the rotation region of the flap
- Flap is rotated and placed through the fistula tract underneath the tunnel
- Flap is sutured to the remaining buccal mucosa and also, the rotated area of the flap sutured to limit undesired movement during healing.
- Collagen sponge can be used to cover the denuded donor site.
Maxillary tuberosity fracture management
Surgical - small fracture <4mm:
Dissect segment from gingivae/periosteum and close primary socket
Large segment including multiple teeth - consider splinting to adjacent teeth allowing 6-8w for bone healing and then returning for XLA in a more controlled manner, e.g. surgical sectioning.
OMFD referral
When do OACs and tuberosity fractures occur?
Removal of upper 8s - particularly if bulbous/multi rooted, hypercementosis, pneumatised sinus/ sinus infection
What are the signs of a tuberosity fracture?
Crunch or bones breaking
Loosening of tooth and bone together with segment still attached to soft tissue
Observable opening to max sinus -hollow sound when suctioning socket
What are the symptoms of tuberosity fracture?
Similar to OAC
Inferior dental nerve injury mechanical causes?
Compression
Foreign body/root/instrument in the canal
Traction or sectioned nerve
LA needle
Oedema/haematoma
Bruising, stretching/severing of nerve
Thermal causes of IDN injury?
Inadequate surgical drill irrigation
Chemical causes of IDN injury?
LA
Haemostatic agents