OSTEOMYELITIS OF THE JAWS: A 5 YEARS RETROSPECTIVE STUDY AT AL-THAWRA HOSPITAL IN SANA'A, YEMEN

Background and aim: Osteomyelitis of the jaws was formerly a terrible condition, but because to increased knowledge, the availability of medications, and improved dental care, its frequency has decreased. The study aimed to determine etiology, clinical features,   and results of management and treatment of maxillofacial osteitis patients over a 5 years period in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Al-Thawra Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen. Methodology: The study was a retrospective case series study that collected data from patients with jaw osteomyelitis at Al-Thawra Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen, over a 5 years period. The majority of patients were male, comprising 12 patients (66.7%), while only 6 patients (33.3%) were female. The data included demographics, medical history, clinical presentation, management methods, treatments, and outcomes. Result: The majority of patients with maxillofacial osteomyelitis were male, aged 45-54, with a mean age of 40±14.5 years, with only one case involving child under 15 years. Osteomyelitis symptoms include purulent discharge, persistent swelling, truisms, intraoral bone exposure, pain, paresthesia, sinus formation, and pathological fractures, with numbness prevalence at 16.7%. The study found carious lesions (50%), extraction socket infections (16.7%), post-extraction infections (11.1%), pulp devitalization agents (11.1%), and severe periodontitis as the most common causes of maxillofacial osteomyelitis. Conclusion: The majority of patients with maxillofacial osteomyelitis were male, aged 45 to 54 years, and presented with purulent discharge, persistent swelling, palpable signs, intraoral bone exposure, pain, numbness, and pocket formation. The study found that carious lesions and periapical infections were the most common causes of osteomyelitis, with the right side of the jaw being the most common site.                     Peer Review History: Received 5 April 2025;   Reviewed 11 May 2025; Accepted 26 June; Available online 15 July 2025 Academic Editor: Dr. Emmanuel O. Olorunsola, Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, Nigeria, olorunsolaeo@yahoo.com Reviewers: Dr. Branislav Ranković, University of Kragujevac, Serbia, rankovic@kg.ac.rs Dr. Dennis Amaechi, MrsFoluBabade Mini Estate , Flat 5 by Old Soldiers Quarter, Sabongari/Bwari, Abuja- Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. amaechitoexcel@yahoo.com