Chronic Masticator Space Infection

Abstract

Six cases of chronic masticator space infection associated with firm facial swelling and progressive trismus are described. Intraoral wound drainage and prolonged antibiotic therapy failed to control the resultant chronic cellulitis. Exposure and drainage of the masticator space and contiguous structures through a modified Blair preauricular and cervical incision was performed. The combination of multifocal drainage, limited debridement, and adjunctive antibiotic therapy controlled the inflammatory response and hastened rehabilitation.