Perioperative management of the female and gravid patient

Ludwig's Angina in Pregnancy Necessitating Pre Mature Delivery

Ludwig's angina is a potentially life threatening disease that can arise from odontogenic infections if they are not attended well in advance. Its incidence in pregnancy is rare, but has been reported. Pregnancy is associated with complex physiological changes in the body which can make small dental infections assume grave proportions if not treated appropriately. This article presents a case of a 24 year old, 32 week pregnant lady who reported with swelling around the jaws and neck, difficulty in breathing and swallowing since 2 days. She had to be taken up for pre-term delivery to avoid damage to foetus. Subsequently she underwent multiple debridement of the cellulitis affecting the deep neck spaces and superior mediastinum. Surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics along with adequate hydration improved the health of the patient before she was discharged.