title: Characteristics and cost impact of severe odontogenic infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical presentation, surgical management, and cost implications of inpatients treated for odontogenic infections at a public tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specific analysis from 3 years of chart review included length of stay, cost of hospitalization, site of infection, number of infected spaces, microbiology profile, antibiotics administered, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, number of days intubated, comorbidities, number of operating room visits, imaging studies, and whether the patients received preadmission treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple fascial spaces were involved in most of the infections. The average length of stay was 4.57 days and average time in the ICU was 3.1 days. Ninety percent of the patients had a coexisting medical comorbidity. The overall hospital costs totaled $749,382 averaging $17,842 per person.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reveals a staggering cost burden on a public health care facility as a result of odontogenic infections.
authors: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas, Dental Branch at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors: Jonathon S
authors: JS
authors: Jundt
authors: Rajesh
authors: R
authors: Gutta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult