악안면 외상후 발생한 파상풍

Tetanus following maxillofacial injury : Report of a case

Tetanus is a rare, often fatal disease that is produced by liberation of an exotoxin by Clostridium tetani. It is found universally in street dust, soil, and the feces of many animals. Patients with mild disease have only trismus with or without minor and biief muscle spasms. Moderate disease is characterized by trismus, dysphagia, rigidity, and intermittent muscle spasms. With severe tetanus there are generalized convulsions. The most important therapeutic maneuvers are to insure airway patency and to provide mechanical ventilation to counter the tendency for respiratory arrest. Other therapeutic principles include antimicrobial durgs, active and passive immunization, wound debridement, and supportive care. A 61-year-old man with mouth opening limitation visited the emergency room. He had been injured on Lt. Zygoma area two weeks ago. We had diagnosed him as tetanus and treated successfully.