Key factors of odontogenic infections requiring hospitalization: A retrospective study of 102 cases

Abstract

ObjectiveThis retrospective study describes the clinical and sociodemographic data collected from patients hospitalized due to odontogenic infections. Materials and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in patients admitted presenting odontogenic infections at Besat Educational Hospital between 2010 and 2015. Treatmentconsisted of intravenous antibiotics, surgical incision and drainage, and extraction of involved teeth. The Study variables were categorized as demographic, preadmission, preoperative, anatomic, treatment, involved teeth and complications. Appropriate descriptive statistics were calculated. ResultsThe sample consisted of 102 patients (62 males, 40 females) with a mean age of 28.7±13.19years. Mandibular posterior teeth were the most frequently involved (72.4%). Moreover, trismus, fever, and dysphagia were the most frequent preadmission clinical variables; in 51%, 24.5%, and 22% of cases respectively. The perimandibular, masticator and peripharyngeal spaces were infected in 72%, 61%, and 3% of cases, respectively. The combination of intravenous penicillin and metronidazole were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics (73.5%). General anesthesia was needed in 89% and local anesthesia in 11% of patients before surgical treatment. In addition, 4 patients required urgent tracheostomy for airway management. The average number of drained anatomic spaces was 1.5 spaces per patient. Additionally, the average length of hospital stay was 6.8days and mortality recorded in this study was only one case. ConclusionUnderstanding of the key variables involved in severe odontogenic infections has been greatly improved by recent studies and reinforced by the present study. The authors concluded that the major criteria for hospital admission of patients with severe odontogenic infections are trismus, fever, and dysphagia.