Improvised Vacuum-Assisted Closure for severe neck infection in poorly equipped conditions.

Introduction: Dental infections are common and are mainly due to dental caries. When left untreated, these infections can lead to severe life-threatening sepsis.

Case Report: The authors reported a case of a severe odontogenic deep neck space infection in a 54-year-old male. The patient was a heavy smoker with incidentally discovered diabetes. He was successfully treated by surgical drainage combined with an improvised Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) system. The results of surgical drainage followed by insertion of an improvised VAC system were spectacular. The abscess resolved in response to dual-agent antibiotic therapy on day 17 and blood glucose control was achieved with insulin. Full-thickness skin graft was performed to repair the necrotic zone of the neck.

Discussion: The use of VAC can be a valuable alternative to conventional dressings and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in poorly equipped conditions. Public awareness campaigns remain the most effective form of prevention against these odontogenic infections.