Ludwig's angina: clinical aspects and therapeutic approaches

• Autor(a) principal: Bomfim, Rafael Meneses
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Tiburcio, Kimberly Damazio, Celestino, Jamesson dos Santos, Diniz, Talita Gomes, Machado, Eduarda Évilyn de Andrade, Oliveira, Karen Mamede de, Rosa, Hiago Ferreira, Araujo, Andreza Barbosa, Fernandes, Wandy Elisabeth Vieira da Silva, Silva, Andressa Mayumi Sakagami
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Research, Society and Development
• Texto Completo: https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/37767
• topic: Vía aérea; angina de Ludwig; Tratamiento; Diagnóstico.; Airway; Ludwig's angina; Treatment; Diagnosis.; Vias aéreas; Angina de Ludwig; Tratamento; Diagnóstico.

Ludwig's angina (AL) is an infection of the submandibular space, first described by Wilhelm Frederick von Ludwig in 1836. The presence of dental caries, oral trauma, immunosuppression and the continuous use of psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and drugs of abuse, are predisposing factors for the emergence of this infection. Given the above, this study aimed to review the literature on Ludwig's angina, highlighting its clinical aspects and therapeutic approaches. For the construction of this article, a bibliographic survey was carried out in the databases SciVerse Scopus, Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), U.S. National Library of Medicine (PUBMED) and ScienceDirect, using the Mendeley reference manager. LA is a rapidly progressing infection of the floor of the mouth, which can rapidly compromise the patient's airways. It occurs most commonly in those with poor dentition or immunosuppression. Patients may have a hardened or woody floor of the mouth with submandibular swelling. Trismus is a late and serious finding. Due to the threat of rapid airway compromise, emergency consultation with anesthesia and otolaryngology is vital, especially if a definitive airway is required. The first-line approach to airway intervention in the ER is flexible intubation endoscopy with preparation for a surgical airway. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as ampicillin-sulbactam, and surgical source control are critical in infection control. Emergency physicians must be aware of this emerging diagnosis, requiring rapid recognition and airway protection.