Analysis of systemic and local odontogenic infection complications requiring hospital care

Objective: Analysis of systemic and local odontogenic infection complications requiring hospital care. Methods: All cases of odontogenic infections requiring hospital care, which were adjudicated in the Finnish Patient Insurance Centre during 2000-2003, were analysed. Patient characteristics, and the course and outcome of infection were reviewed. Results: The study material consisted of 35 patient cases; 15 male, 20 female; mean age 38.4 (16-67) years. The mean length of hospital stay was 14.8 (2-81) days. Nine patients required intensive care for mean 6.2 (2-19) days. Twenty-five (71%) patients developed local infection complications with cellulitis and abscess formation, and 10 (29%) patients a generalised or metastatic infection complication. The length of hospital stay among patients with systemic complications was longer than with local complications, 30.2 (2-81) days vs. 8.0 (2-34) days (p = 0.0144). All patients with local complications survived but three of the 10 patients with systemic complications died. Medically compromised patients with underlying disease developed more often systemic infection complications than previously healthy patients (p = 0.0028). Conclusions: Medically compromised patients appear more susceptible to systemic rather than local infection complications with a need for significantly longer hospital stay and with an increased risk for fatal complications. © 2008 The British Infection Society.