Ludwig's angina: report of seven cases and review of current concepts in management.

Ludwig's angina is a rare type of facial infection, which formerly invariably was fatal, but now, with adequate surgical and antibiotic treatment, has a much reduced mortality. Seven cases, two of which were fatal, were managed at the University of Benin Dental Hospital, Nigeria between 1981 and 1986. In five cases large doses of antibiotics, incision and drainage and extraction of involved teeth, proved to be effective therapy without the need for tracheostomy. In the two fatal cases, death was associated with inadequate antibiotic therapy.