ear, nose, and throat disorders
Submandibular Space Infection
Treatment
Maintenance of airway patency Surgical incision and drainage Antibiotics active against oral flora Maintaining airway patency is of the highest priority. Because swelling makes oral endotracheal intubation difficult, fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation done with topical anesthesia in the operating room or intensive care unit with the patient awake is preferable. Some patients require a tracheotomy. Patients without immediate need for intubation require intense observation and may benefit temporarily from a nasal trumpet. Incision and drainage with placement of drains deep into the mylohyoid muscles relieve the pressure. Antibiotics should be chosen to cover both oral anaerobes and aerobes (eg,clindamycin,ampicillin/sulbactam, and/or high-dose penicillin). 