Surgical Approaches in Odontogenic Orbital Cellulitis (OOC): Our Experience and Review of Literature

Aims Odontogenic orbital cellulitis represents a complication of root infections of upper pre-molars and molars. The severity depends on the orbital structure involved. The treatment is based on antibiotic therapy associated or not to surgery. Through the presentation of three cases and a review of literature, we purpose as aim of our study to underline the necessity of a timely diagnosis and to provide the correct surgical approach in each different types and stages of orbital infections. Methods We present three patients that were affected by dental infection evolved in orbital cellulitis. In two cases the disease was solved with the extraction of infected tooth and a surgical endoscopic drainage of the abscess through antrostomy of maxillary sinus. In the third patient the disease had already induced a bulbar perforation and endophthalmitis, so an orbit evisceration was necessary. Results Review of literature showed that the standard treatment of orbital cellulitis is the transnasal approach associated or not by a transoral and/or transcutaneous procedure depending on the stage of the disease and on the causes. In our 3 cases these indications were followed without relapses of the disease. Conclusion An early diagnosis is mandatory in odontogenic orbital cellulitis specially to avoid serious complications. Surgical treatment can be simple and effective mostly in early-stage infection: it is based on extraction of infected tooth and on the drainage of abscess. Surgical approach consists in transnasal procedure flanked or not by transoral and transcutaneous procedures based on the stage of the infection considering involved structures.