Year : 2015

Volume : Volume 5

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Ravi Sekhar M
drmrs31@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  The introduction of air into subcutaneous tissue during dental procedures can be harmful. However, subcutaneous emphysema is common in third molar surgery when the procedure requires tooth sectioning with an airoter which is usually restricted to moderate local swelling, but peri orbital extension is a rare condition. This review explains the possibility of aetiology, signs and symptoms; potential path of spread and differential diagnosis and protocol of its management are discussed with presentation of peri-orbital emphysema and a generalised subcutaneous emphysema case involving head and neck as an intra operative complication of third molar extraction.

Keywords: Subcutaneous emphysema, third molars, peri-orbital, aetiology, emphysema spread, management.