Chemical Facial Cellulitis due to Inadvertent Injection of Formalin into Oral Tissue Space

Abstract

This paper reports the accidental injection of formalin into oral tissue space, in an 8-year old child resulting in chemical facial necrotizing cellulitis and its management. The common practice of keeping formalin in local anesthesia vials should be avoided by dental clinics, to prevent such unfortunate incidents.

Dental Negligence: Accidental Administration of Formalin Instead of Local Anesthetic

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] The search also shows up to 9 articles on the accidental injection of formalin as an anesthetic agent during dental treatment procedures. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Formalin accidentally being used as an irrigant for rotary bur during bilateral surgical removal of 3 rd molar has also been documented. 26 All the articles show that once there is an inadvertent injection of formalin, incision at the site with saline lavage is performed followed by placement of a drain at the site.…”

“…Systemic antibiotics, steroids and analgesics are administered and is followed up as the treatment protocol. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] The same protocol was followed in the case presented here.…”

Accidental Local Infiltration of Formalin into the Buccal Mucosa: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…After entering the body it causes fatal metabolic acidosis. 8 If formalin is exposed to the vascular component of the body, then it leads to acute hemolysis. 4 In the present case, local infiltration of formalin had occurred accidentally, resulting in acute inflammation at the site of injection followed by necrosis and ulceration.…”

“…This accidental injection of formalin befell due to storage of formalin and the local anesthetic solutions in similar containers. 7 , 8 …”