SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX ODONTOGENIC INFECTIONS: APPROACH TO LUDWIG'S ANGINA: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the surgical management, early diagnosis, and airway control in complex odontogenic infections, with an emphasis on Ludwig's Angina, a severe infectious cellulitis that can lead to death by asphyxiation. This is a literature review guided by PRISMA guidelines, conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and SciELO databases, covering the period from 2022 to 2026, with a final sample of 8 articles. The results indicate that airway protection, through awake fiberoptic intubation or tracheostomy, is the absolute priority before imaging exams. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and diabetes mellitus were identified as predictors of severity. Early surgical drainage, elimination of the primary source, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy constitute the standard treatment, while negative pressure wound therapy is effective for necrotizing fasciitis. In conclusion, early recognition, airway maintenance, and immediate surgical intervention are fundamental for therapeutic success, requiring the implementation of multidisciplinary protocols to reduce fatal complications.