WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES. On the brand-new series The Face Doctors, patient Terry is rushed into surgery after his tooth infection turns into a flesh-eating disease and threatens to take his life
Terry takes an unexpected turn for the worst as his tooth infection escalates into a flesh-eating disease and spreads across his face.
Following the removal of a tooth at his local dentist, Terry began fighting an infection that scarily moved underneath his left eyeball and threatened to take his vision. On the second episode of the brand-new series The Face Doctors tonight, the dad meets the team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge who are tasked with saving his life.
Maxillofacial surgeon Shadi Basyuni says time is of the essence. He explains in the Really documentary: “Tooth infections can be really dangerous, because if it spreads into the eye socket he could lose his vision. In addition, he could be left with significant disfigurement.” His priority is to remove as much of the pus as possible.
“The priority here is not aesthetics I’m afraid, it’s trying to get as much of this infection out. If it spreads into the eye socket he could lose an eye. If it spreads into his bloodstream, he could get more generally unwell, and we call that sepsis, which can be life-threatening,” Shadi explains.
Terry becomes increasingly worried as he is warned of the severity of the situation. He says: “Apparently it’s a very aggressive infection. It’s a lot more serious than I thought.” His fears are confirmed when overnight tests show a life-threatening disease is eating away at his face, and he’s rushed into surgery.
Eye surgeon Cornelius Rene explains: “If you don’t manage these promptly there can be devastating consequences for the patient, it can be life-threatening. If we left this any longer, he could rapidly go into multi-organ failure so his lungs could pack up, his kidneys could pack up and this actually has quite a high mortality rate.”
Meanwhile, Terry’s son, also named Terry, reflects on seeing his hero in pain. “He’s a tough old boot my dad, and to see him actively respond to pain and discomfort is quite unusual so it hits home that it’s pretty severe,” he says. While Terry’s wife Sharon holds back the tears as she gushes: “It was all a bit of a shock for him, bless him.”
Eight weeks after Terry’s operation, his recovery is remarkable. In a wholesome moment, his family gathers around and toast with prosecco. Expressing his gratitude to the team at Addenbrooke’s, Terry says: “All the people that saw me, all the team, even down into the operating theatre, there was a lot of people in there, they all did a fantastic job. I’m so grateful to them. I think they saved my life.”
Terry adds: “I am lucky to still be here really. All for a toothache!” The Face Doctors follows patients undergoing life-changing operations and cutting-edge treatment to rebuild and repair their faces. From genetic conditions to flesh-eating infections and emergency trauma, specialists at Addenbrookes take on some of the most challenging cases.
- The Face Doctors airs on Really on Wednesdays at 9pm from May 15. Also available to stream on discovery+.
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Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.