Presentations 2020: OMFS

419 - Review of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Emergency Theatre Cases in 2018 – Trauma Vs Infection

AL Bradley S Jenkins
Presented by: Alice Bradley
Prince Charles Hospital

Introduction In 2018, 301 patients had emergency surgery carried out by the OMFS team. Although this number is consistent with figures from previous years, proportionally, the number of patients being admitted to hospital and requiring emergency surgery for dental infections is increasing. Methods Data was collected retrospectively and this review focussed on patients treated between 1st January and 31st December 2018. A spreadsheet was generated including all patients who underwent emergency surgery under OMFS in 2018. Data collected from TOMS, Myrddin, Theatre Op. notes and the Maxfax Database were assessed as part of this research to determine diagnosis and operation carried out for each patient. Results 301 cases were treated on the CEPOD theatre list in 2018. Of the cases identified, 124 were as a result of severe dental infections. Most infections taken to theatre required incision and drainage and at least one dental extraction. Previous data collected in 2016 showed that 37% of all Maxillofacial emergency theatre cases were as a result of dental infection; the 2018 data shows an increase to 41% of all emergency cases. Anecdotally, this trend appears to continue throughout 2019, however these data are still being analysed. Conclusion Whilst the total number of cases seen by the Maxillofacial team has reduced, proportionally, the number of severe dental infections continues to increase. The reason for this increase is unknown, however, following the changes to dental contracts in 2006, which transferred the responsibility for out of hours treatment from GDPs to Health Boards, it is probable that appropriate and timely dental treatment is not being sought by patients. A combination of lack of accessibility of emergency dental services and inappropriate antibiotic prescribing by non-dental healthcare professionals are likely contributors to the increase in severe and dangerous dental infections presenting to A&E.
Consent Statement: There are no details on individual patients reported within the abstract.

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