Increasing Use of Intensive Care Unit for Odontogenic Infection Over One Decade: Incidence and Predictors

To determine whether intensive care unit (ICU) admissions for odontogenic infections have increased during the past decade and whether certain clinical features are associated with a greater rate of ICU admission.

The data from patients undergoing surgery for odontogenic infections at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in the 24 month from January 2003 to December 2004 were compared with those from patients treated from January 2013 to December 2014. A χ² analysis was used to compare the demographic, admission, and clinical patient data in each cohort. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine which clinical features were associated with greater rates of ICU admission.

The rate of ICU admission increased significantly from 7 to 24% during the decade (χ² = 12.74; P = .000), although the clinical presentation of patients admitted to the ICU was similar in both cohorts. The mean number of days spent in the ICU increased significantly from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 3.24 ± 2.5 days (t = -3.63; P = .001), and the overall length of stay increased from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 3.5 ± 4.1 days (t = 2.99; P = .004). The use of preoperative computed tomography (CT) increased significantly from 42.9 to 93.3% (χ² = 13.25; P = .000). The most significant predictors of ICU admission were lower third molar involvement (P = .026), dysphagia (P = .020), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels exceeding 150 mg/L (P = .039).

The use of the ICU in the management of odontogenic infection has increased significantly at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital over 1 decade. The demographic data and clinical presentation of the patients admitted to the ICU did not change significantly. However, the length of ICU stay and the total length of stay have both increased. A significant increase in CT usage for odontogenic infections also occurred. Third molar infections, dysphagia, and elevated CRP might be relevant clinical predictors of a more complicated course of care requiring ICU admission. More judicious use of CT scanning, combined with prompt surgical consultation and intervention, might reduce the rate of ICU admissions for odontogenic infections.