title: Deep space neck infection: principles of surgical management.
abstract: Knowledge of the management of infections of the deep spaces of the neck is essential to the daily practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Timely decisions must be made through the acute course of the disease. Interventions must be performed with the appropriate surgical skill. The surgeon must decide on medical and surgical management, including antibiotic selection, how to employ supportive resuscitative care, when to operate, what procedures to perform, and how to secure the airway. To make these decisions the surgeon must understand the anatomy of the region and the etiology of infection, appropriate diagnostic workup, and medical and surgical management. This article provides a review of these pertinent topics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, 611 SW Campus Drive, Mail Code SD 522, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Osborn
authors.forename: Leon A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Assael
authors.forename: R Bryan
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000517:prevention & control; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008158:Ludwig's Angina / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents