Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the distribution pattern of fascial space infections amongst patients in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional hospital-based study of patients with fascial space infections reporting directly to the emergency room in King Fahad Hospital, Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from the medical records of 366 patients over a period of 3 years.
Results: Fascial space infections of the maxillofacial and neck were more frequently found in the third decade of age and seen mostly in males. An odontogenic focus of infection was predominantly found in almost all patients and mandibular third molars were more frequently involved followed by lower second and first molars. Mixed anaerobic/aerobic flora was yielded in many pus samples.
Conclusion: Immediate recognition, prompt antibiotic therapy and effective surgical intervention with adequate control of predisposing medical conditions would mitigate complications.

Key words: Infection, fascial space, maxillofacial, neck, odontogenic