Page 85 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

HERPES ZOSTER INFECTION FOLLOWING ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY: A CASE REPORT

Mohd Sofee MS, Mamat MR, Royan SJ, Kohir S, Muzaffar A, Visayaragawan N

Introduction: Herpes Zoster or shingles is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus
that remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia. Primary infection of varicella zoster virus
causes varicella zoster infection or commonly known as chicken pox which later remains
latent. The predisposing factors that reactivate the virus are old age, physical trauma,
psychological stress, chronic corticosteroid usage and immunocompromised state. This
disease results in a characteristic skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters which eventually
scab over. The virus will remain dormant over the infected nerve branches once the rashes
healed which will usually take a period of 2 to 4 weeks. The most common distribution is
thoracic, cranial, and cervical where the ophthalmic is more common in trigeminal nerve
distribution. Case report: We report a case of a young healthy lady with herpes zoster
infection at right mandibular distribution after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO)
procedure of the mandible. Following the surgery, patient developed multiple pinpoint
itchy vesicles which coalesce over the cutaneous region of right mandible. She was
immediately referred to Dermatology department for further intervention at which
antiviral therapy was promptly started. She recovered well following the therapy with
minimal morbidity. Conclusion: It is paramount for dental practitioners to recognize the
early signs of herpes zoster infection to reduce morbidity of patients.

Virtual oral presentation at the 25 Annual MAOMS Scientific Conference on 19-20 March 2021
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Abstracts of free papers presented at the 25 MAOMS Annual Scientific Meeting on Friday, 19 March 2021. (2021).
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Malaysian Journal of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, 19(1), 30–59. Retrieved from
https://mjoms.my/index.php/mjoms/article/view/156
Dr Mohammad Suhayl bin Mohd Sofee
Dr Muhamad Ropi bin Mamat
Dr Stephen Joseph Royan
Dr Sutina bt Kohir
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia

Dr Muzaffar bin Apipi
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Hospital Slim River
Slim River, Perak
Malaysia

Dr Nithiya Visayaragawan
Department of Dermatology
Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia

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