Clinical features of deep neck infection: analysis of 77 patients.
OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study aims to detect the prognostic factors which affect the duration of hospital stay and evaluate the complications which develop in patients with deep neck infection.


METHODS
The study included 77 patients (40 males, 37 females; mean age 42.4±20.1 years; range 11 to 88 years) treated with a diagnosis of deep neck infection in our clinic between November 2006 and November 2012. Patients' demographic and clinical features were analyzed to detect their associations with development of complications and hospitalization time.


RESULTS
Odontogenic origin and submandibular localization were the most frequently observed clinical appearance. Of eight patients (10.4%) who developed serious complications, two (2.6%) died. Age, comorbidity, presence of anemia alone, Ludwig's angina and retropharyngeal involvement were associated with increased rate of complications (p<0.05); while sex, antibiotic usage prior to admittance and primary location of infection were not related (p>0.05). Submandibular localization and absence of leucopenia reduced the risk of complications (p<0.05). The mean duration of hospital stay was 12.9±8.7 days (range 2-59 days). Age, presence of comorbidity and development of complications extended the hospitalization period (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of the improvements in diagnosis and treatment, deep neck infection may be an important cause of mortality if complications develop. Comorbid anemia, Ludwig's angina and retropharyngeal involvement were identified as the strongest predictors in terms of development of complications. Duration of hospital stay extended in patients who developed complications.
Department of Otolaryngology, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, 35360 Basın Sitesi, İzmir, Turkey.
Engin Umut
EU
Sakarya
Erkan
E
Kulduk
Onur
O
Gündoğan
Fatih Kemal
FK
Soy
Rıza
R
Dündar
Ahmet Erdem
AE
Kılavuz
Can
C
Özbay
Erdem
E
Eren
Abdulkadir
A
İmre
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008158:Ludwig's Angina / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents