Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 188, 589 - 590 (2000)
Published online: 10 June 2000 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4800547
case study:
Surgical emphysema and pneumomediastinum complicating dental extraction
A Ali1, D R Cunliffe2 & S R Watt-Smith3
- Surgical emphysema and pneumomediastinum are the potentially life threatening complications from the use of the air rotor during exodontia.
- Potential microbial contaminants such as pseudomonas and legionella in dental compressed air lines may be passed into tissue spaces.
- We recommend that the use of an air rotor during dental surgery should be abandoned.
Abstract
Subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema is a rare complication of dental extraction and the use of air turbines has often been implicated. We describe a case which highlights a serious complication of the use of an air rotor for the removal of a right second mandibular molar.
- Senior House Officer, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU
- Specialist Registrar, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU
- Consultant, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU
