Factors related to the treatment outcome of maxillofacial fascia space infection

ObjectiveTo identify the predisposing factors related to maxillofacial space infection treatment outcomes.MethodsA retrospective study was performed. Our sample comprised 112 patients admitted to the hospital with fascial space infections. The study variables were classified. Descriptive statistics were computed. The chi-squared test, t test, ANOVA, multivariate linear regression, and logistic regression were used to analyze statistical differences between the groups.ResultsOne hundred and twelve patients (65 males, 47 females) with a mean age of 33.29 ± 19.68 years were admitted to the hospital with infections, mostly due to odontogenic causes. The mean time from the first onset of symptoms to admission was 6.22 ± 4.94 days. Patients often presented with more than one infected space (68.7%). The submandibular space was most commonly involved (46.4%), followed by the pterygomandibular space (28.6%). The white blood cell count at admission ranged from 10,000 to 15,000 cell/mm3. The length of hospital stay averaged 5.93 ± 5.39 days. The multiple linear regression showed (statistical significance p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively) that patients aged 41–60 years or who had at least four involved spaces were positively involved with having longer hospitalizations. The logistic regression showed that patients aged more than 40 years (p = 0.021) or who had at least four involved spaces (p = 0.001) were more likely to develop complications.ConclusionThe factors that are related significantly to the treatment outcome of maxillofacial infection are increasing age, more than four involved fascial space infection, and immune compromised conditions. The better understanding of these factors and close monitoring of the patients will prevent serious complications.