Application of Rapid Digital Locating Technology in Emergency Treatment of Maxillofacial Space Infection.

Space infection occurs commonly in the oral and maxillofacial region, and is usually caused by odontogenic infection, resulting in acute symptoms through the maxillofacial space. if timely, correct, and effective treatment is not provided, local infection may quickly spread through the maxillofacial space and cause serious consequences such as suffocation, intracranial infection, and chest infection. A 55-year-old man visited our hospital with obvious swelling and pain in the right maxillofacial region. Maxillofacial computed tomography images showed revealed obvious low-density shadows on the inner side of the right mandibular angle and the right neck. Unlike the usual presentation of maxillofacial space infection, no obvious flushing or fluctuation was seen in the patient's maxillofacial region due to the deep location of the infection. Blind puncture examination and incision exploration may cause unnecessary pain and trauma to the patient. Therefore, to accurately position the infection focus, the operator reconstructed the infection cavity in three-dimensional with digital technology. The puncture point and incision site were quickly determined by three-dimensional measurement and the use of the compass and straightedge construction method, thereby achieving free drainage with an accurate and minimally invasive incision. Following 1 week of routine flushing and dressing changes, the patient recovered and was discharged from hospital. To our knowledge, this is the first precise minimally invasive treatment of a maxillofacial space infection conducted with the aid of digital positioning technology.