[Oral, pharyngeal and neck infections in specialized care].

BACKGROUND, MATERIAL AND

METHODS

All cases of acute dental, oral and pharyngeal infections that were referred to Mikkeli Central Hospital during a 25-month period were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine percent of the total of 394 cases needed intravenous antibiotics. Tonsillar infections were most prevalent (27%), followed by peritonsillar abscesses (25%) and dental infections (20%). Twenty patients (5%) had cervical or submandibular cellulitis or abscess requiring immediate surgery and an average 8.5 days of in-patient treatment. The most prevalent (45%) bacteriological result was miscellaneous "normal flora".

CONCLUSIONS

Imminent oropharyngeal infection may require immediate surgery and intravenous antibiotics.