Rapid treatment reduces hospitalization for pediatric patients with odontogenic-based cellulitis.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to assess characteristics of facial cellulitis admissions and their relationship to cost of hospitalization (COH) and length of stay (LOS) in children ages 0 to 20 years at an urban hospital and to compare outcomes of rapid management to published and national statistics for LOS and COH.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 376 charts of facial cellulitis admissions between 2000 and 2006 revealed 63 of confirmed odontogenic cases from which cellulitis characteristics, COH, and LOS were gleaned. Variables were correlated to LOS and COH. Data on LOS and cost of admission were compared to published studies and 506 entries from the 2006 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID).


RESULTS
Of 63 charts included, children included were 8.3 years (SD, +/-3.8 years) and equal in sex distribution. Treatment rendered and site of infection had no significant relationship to COH. Overall mean hospital LOS was 2.08 days and significantly less as compared to 3.97 days for published studies and 3.4 days for KID (P < .0001). The mean overall hospital COH was $4166 and significantly less compared to $3223 in the literature and $8998.43 for KID.


CONCLUSIONS
In the management of pediatric facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin, rapid treatment had a significant positive impact on length of stay and total cost of treatment compared to published studies and nationally reflective data.
Thikkurissy
Sarat
S
Division of Pediatric Dentistry, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Department of Dentistry, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Rawlins
Joseph T
JT
Kumar
Ashok
A
Evans
Erik
E
Casamassimo
Paul S
PS
D000293:Adolescent; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult