Symptoms and treatment of facial phlegmon
With inflammation of the subcutaneous, interfascal and muscle tissue in the soft tissues, a purulent diffuse inflammation of the tissues of the internal environment of the body occurs. Phlegmon is characterized by the fact that when it occurs, suppuration spreads in the space between the tissues. Phlegmon can be located on any part of the human body where there are soft tissues. Suppuration has a separate medical name for each organ. Phlegmon of the face belongs to odontogenic inflammatory diseases.
This disease is usually caused by dental problems. Phlegmon can occur due to acute periodontitis, suppurating radicular cysts, due to periodontal disease, complicated eruption of wisdom teeth (so-called "eights"), etc.
Facial phlegmon symptoms
Like any disease associated with tissue inflammation, facial phlegmon can occur in an acute and chronic form. The acute form is characterized by a sharp rise (up to 40 ° Celsius) in temperature, the formation of a rapidly growing swelling above the phlegmon, reddening of this place, the appearance of signs of tissue necrosis. The swelling is hot, dense, with a shiny surface to the touch. If it is not treated, then after a while it will soften, a fistula may form.
The chronic form assumes a bluish color and a different structure to the touch - wood. Pressing the phlegmon causes pain. The reason for its development is inactive organisms.
Complications of phlegmon of the face can occur if the process of formation and development of phlegmon is not stopped in time, which may be associated with untimely treatment or difficulties with diagnosis.
Primary phlegmon can provoke the development of lymphadenitis, lymphangitis, erysipelas, thrombophlebitis, sepsis, etc. When the process spreads to surrounding tissues, purulent arthritis, tendovaginitis and other purulent diseases can develop. As complications of facial phlegmon, progressive venous thrombophlebitis and purulent meningitis can develop.
Treatment of facial phlegmon
Phlegmon of the face is treated only with surgical methods. At the very beginning of the development of the disease, treatment is possible by antibiotic therapy, novocaine blockades, and physiotherapy methods. It is permissible to introduce drugs into the patient's body that increase the body's defenses.
If, after applying conservative methods of treatment, the patient's condition does not improve - that is, the temperature does not normalize, the pain does not stop, the patient's well-being and blood parameters do not improve, if the symptoms of phlegmon of the face of intoxication continue - then operative surgical treatment is indicated. Carrying out surgical treatment in the early stages of the disease will help prevent the spread of the purulent process and stop further intoxication of the body.
The postoperative period involves active treatment, namely, the introduction of drains into the wound that do not interfere with the active outflow of exudate, its suction using special instruments and long-term flowing washes, as well as the implementation of antibacterial therapy.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
