Introduction: There are comparatively fewer surgical site infections after craniofacial trauma than the extremities. Gram-negative facultative anaerobic bacteria Veillonella is a common commensal in the oral cavity and has been linked to osteomyelitis and surgical site infections in prosthetic joint infections. Aims/objectives: This study aimed to assess the presence of Veillonella in patients presenting with maxillofacial trauma, document difference in colony counts in patients requiring surgical intervention at different time intervals, provide better hospital care and management and improve the standard of care. Methodology: In this study, individuals with trauma/fractures of the maxillofacial region requiring surgical intervention at varied time spans, early, intermediate, and late, were included. The fracture type and sites were noted, and a swab was taken on day of - admission, surgery, discharge and given for microbiological evaluation. Findings were recorded. Results: The mean colony counts in colony-forming units/millilitre (CFU/ml) were as described. For patients undergoing early surgical intervention, on the day of admission, it was 2.01E+0.6. On the day of discharge, it was 1.51E+0.6. In contrast, for patients with surgical site infection, on the day of admission, the mean was 6.5E+0.7, and on the day of discharge it reduced to 4.01E+0.6. The time-CFU graph showed a difference in the colony count in patients operated at different time intervals and modified relation with many other oral commensals. It was compared with patients with osteomyelitis. Conclusion: There was a change in the colony count of Veillonella species and its relation to other commensals when intervened at different time intervals. Our study indicates that estimation of Veillonella species and the colony count could aid in determining the possibility of a surgical site infection. This study also stresses on early reporting of maxillofacial trauma in cases of poly-trauma for appropriate management.

Mahima Seetaram is a budding maxillofacial surgeon with a keen interest in research. During her under graduation, she completed 4 multidisciplinary research projects for which she received 2 international awards and the prestigious Susruta award for research contribution. As a postgraduate, she completed 6 original multidisciplinary research projects involving fields of onco-surgery, trauma, biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology, maxillofacial radiology and oral implantology. She has also received the university gold medal for research. She has completed about 15 research projects and articles, which are in the process of publication. She also has 1 patent to her name. Her thirst for knowledge led to successfully completing post graduate diploma in fields of clinical nutrition (PGDCN), corporate entrepreneurship (PCMCE), aromatherapy (PC Ar.) and also a certification in Indology (Adv Cert IKS). She is also pursuing her post graduate diploma in medical law and ethics (PGDMLE) from a reputed national university. She has co-authored a non-fiction book and is working on another book. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor. She is also a motivational speaker to the youth.