SURGICAL DEBRIDEMENT AS A TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR CERVICOFACIAL ACTINOMYCOSIS: REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic disease caused by bacteria genus Actinomyces. As conventional treatment drainage is recommended by the literature, which requires high doses of 6 to 12 weeks of antibiotics. The aim of this study is to highlight the treatments published in databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Virtual Health Library in the last 20 years. Additionally, the case of a 57-year-old male patient with erythematous swelling in the mental region with numerous fistulas will be reported. Biopsy, drainage, and antibiotic therapy was performed, resulting in poor clinical response. After the diagnosis, surgical debridement associated with antibiotic therapy was performed. After 4 weeks of follow-up, gradual volume reduction and healing of the fistulas was observed. Although not reported as conventional treatment of soft tissue actinomycosis, debridement proved to be an important tool for antibiotic therapy time reduction for wound healing and, consequently, cost reduction and bacterial resistance.