Garola F, Cores B, Santalla Claros E, Botta M, Pigazzini P, Piemonte E, Garzón JC. Management of cervicofacial infection: a 7-year retrospective study.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2024;
137:19-29. [PMID:
37880047 DOI:
10.1016/j.oooo.2023.07.011]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to describe and analyze the epidemiologic and clinical variables associated with, treatment for, and development of cervicofacial infection (CFI).
STUDY DESIGN
We retrospectively examined 201 patients older than 14 years who had met the CFI diagnostic criteria and whose treatment required hospitalization and intervention under general anesthesia at our hospital. We performed chi-square tests to compare proportions in categorical variables and either the Student t test or the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare quantitative variables. We performed an analysis of variance to compare 3 or more categories and either Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient analysis to examine the correlations between quantitative variables.
RESULTS
The majority (85.07%) of the CFIs were of odontogenic origin. The mean hospitalization length was 4.58 days. Patients with diabetes who used tobacco and/or alcohol had a significantly longer length of hospitalization and several postoperative complications.The most common symptoms were pain, trismus and toothache. Symptoms of fever and nausea were associated with longer hospitalization. The most affected anatomic spaces were submandibular and pterygomandibular. Buccal and infraorbital, temporal, and parotid spaces were associated with longer hospitalization.
CONCLUSIONS
Most CFIs are of odontogenic origin. Diabetes and tobacco and alcohol use are important risk factors. Treatment should be surgical and target the cause of infection. Timely referrals are important when patients present symptoms compatible with CFI for immediate treatment.
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