Length of hospital stay and management of facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin in children.

PURPOSE: This study's purpose was to assess characteristics of pediatric patients with odontogenic-based facial cellulitis, treatment strategies, and their relationship to length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

This retrospective study was performed on individuals younger than 18 years old who were hospitalized for facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin (FCOO). Medical records were reviewed for all patients with a discharge diagnosis of FCOO or buccal cellulitis. Patients' clinical characteristics were evaluated and assessed for their relationship to LOS.

RESULTS

A total of 106 children were diagnosed with FCOO. LOS was significantly shorter in patients who had a tooth extracted within 48 hours versus patients who had a tooth extracted at 48 hours or longer (P=.007). LOS was significantly shorter in patients with upper face and left face infections than lower face infections (P=.01) and right face infections (P=.01), respectively. Patients with a primary first molar infection had the shortest LOS; patients with a white blood cell count less than 10,000 cells/mm3 had shorter LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Early tooth extraction may decrease the length of stay in management of pediatric facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin. The type of tooth involved and white blood cell count at admission have a significant impact on length of stay.