Characterization of facial cellulitis in patients treated at the “Celia Sánchez Manduley” Hospital

Abstract

Background: facial cellulitis is one of the most frequent infections and the most serious emergency that can occur in dental practice. The increase in its incidence may be related to the aging of the population and other factors.

Objective: to describe facial cellulitis in patients treated at the department of maxillofacial surgery of the “Celia Sánchez Manduley” Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital of Manzanillo, Granma, from September 2020 through August 2021.

Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with 123 patients aged 15 years and over, at the aforementioned hospital and during the period herein declared. The following variables were studied: age groups, sex, type of cellulitis, clinical classification, admissions, hospital stay and therapeutic strategyr.

Results: the distribution of patients did not have significant differences between those aged 20 years or older; although the 40 to 49 age group (22,8 %) and the male sex (53,7 %) were the most frequent ones. 56,9 % presented non-odontogenic facial cellulitis and 55,1 % had a moderate clinical classification. The majority were non-admitted patients (58,5 %). The admitted patients had an average hospital stay of seven days and more (49,1 %). Predominance of conservative treatment was observed; all patients received drug treatment, followed by the use of Natural and Traditional Medicine (87,8 %) and thermotherapy (78,1 %). In surgical treatment, incision and drainage were mostly used.

Conclusions: the clinical characteristics of patients treated with facial cellulitis were described.