Infectious postoperative complications in oral surgery. An observational study

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this investigation was to determine the incidence of infectious postoperative complications in oral surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A observational and descriptive study was developed, with the use of prospective registry of the patients admitted for oral surgery at the San Borja Arriarán Hospital Complex during twelve months observation period (April 2017 to March 2018). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 532 patients undergoing surgical procedures of oral surgery and 19 cases of infectious postoperative complications. The incidence of complications reached 3,57% and it was observed predominantly in exodontic type interventions. The most commonly observed complication was dry socket, reaching 2,5% of third molar surgeries and 3,7% of extractions of other teeth. Other postoperative complication were 7 cases of facial spaces abscesses, also observed predominantly in exodontic type interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The results were similar to those reported in the literature both in their frequency and in the type of complication. Key words:Oral surgery, incidence, postoperative complications, dry socket, third molar.