Post-extraction complications seen at a referral dental clinic in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Aim: To investigate the types and magnitude of post extraction complications. Setting: A referral hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Subjects: All dental patients who had their teeth extracted at the Muhimbili Medical Centre dental outpatient clinic during the study period (May September 1999). A total of 3,818 extractions were performed under local anaesthetic in 3,732 patients. Method: Oral examination of all patients who reported back with post-extraction problems. Results: The frequency of post extraction complications was low (1.1 per cent), and was mainly due to; infected sockets (48.7 percent), followed by bleeding sockets (41.0 per cent) and retained roots (10.3 per cent). There were eight 'other' complications suffered by 11 patients: necrotising fasciitis (n=1), herpes zoster (n=1), Ludwig's angina (n=1), infections of the submandibular (n=1), parapharyngeal (n=2), masticator (n=2) and submasseteric spaces (n =2), and reaction to local anaesthesia (2ml of 2 percent lignocaine hydrochloride) (n =1). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that post-extraction complications are few, mostly minor, self-limiting and easily treatable. The study does not support routine antibiotic prophylaxis or special pre-extraction procedures, even in this patient population with poor oral hygiene and high HIV seroprevalence. © 2001 FDI/World Dental Press.