Orbital infections: five-year case series, literature review and guideline development.

BACKGROUND: Periorbital infections represent a spectrum of sepsis that carries potentially significant morbidity and mortality. Early recognition, systematic assessment and aggressive treatment of the condition are essential.

METHODS: A retrospective five-year case note review on the management of periorbital infections was performed at a tertiary centre. A literature review on the management of periorbital infections was also undertaken. A multidisciplinary guideline on the management of periorbital infections was developed based on the findings of the case and literature reviews.

RESULTS: The results of the retrospective case series correlate well with those of recent reports.

CONCLUSION: The new multidisciplinary guideline has been finalised and approved for practice and future auditing.