The surgical management of severe dentofacial infections (DFI)—a prospective study

• Published in: Irish journal of medical science 2019-02, Vol.188 (1), p.327-331
• Main Authors: Bowe, Conor M., O’Neill, Maeve A., O’Connell, John E., Kearns, Gerard J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Family Medicine; Female; Focal Infection, Dental - blood; Focal Infection, Dental - microbiology; Focal Infection, Dental - surgery; General Practice; Hospitalization; Humans; Internal Medicine; Length of Stay; Leukocyte Count; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Article; Primary Health Care; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0021-1265; 1863-4362
• DOI: 10.1007/s11845-018-1802-5

Dentofacial infections (DFI) lead to morbidity and rarely, mortality. We hypothesised that certain clinical and laboratory parameter factors may be associated with a more severe course and an increased length of stay. We designed a prospective study that included all patients admitted with a DFI to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department between July 2014 and July 2015. A total of 125 were enrolled. We found that serum concentration of CRP on admission and increasing number of fascial spaces involved by the infection were significant predictors of hospital stay ( p  = 0.02 and p  = 0.01, respectively). The average length of stay for a dentofacial infection requiring admission was 4.5 days. Most patients require surgical intervention in combination with intravenous antibiotics for successful resolution. Improved and timely access to primary dental care is likely to reduce the burden for patients their families and the acute hospital service as a consequence of advanced DFI.