Significant decrease of facial cellulitis admissions during COVID-19 lockdown in France: A multicentric comparative...

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in France led to a national lockdown.
• An observed decrease in odontogenic cellulitis incidence during this period prompted further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the incidence of odontogenic cellulitis during the 2020 lockdown with the same periods in 2018 and 2019.
• To analyze the impact of the lockdown on head and neck abscess admissions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, multicentric study involving French public hospital maxillofacial surgery departments.
• Data collected on patients admitted for surgical drainage of head and neck abscesses of odontogenic origin.
• Comparison between the 2020 lockdown period and control periods in 2018/2019 using French diagnostic codes.

Main Results:

• A significant nationwide decrease of 44% in odontogenic cellulitis admissions was reported in 2020.
• 187 patients were admitted in 2020, compared to 334 and 333 patients in 2018/2019, respectively.
• The decrease suggests a notable impact of the lockdown on healthcare-seeking behavior or management.

Conclusions:

• The 2020 lockdown period was associated with a substantial reduction in odontogenic cellulitis cases requiring surgical intervention.
• Hypothetical reasons include altered patient behavior, earlier management, or changes in medication availability.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the exact causes and inform future prevention strategies for cellulitis.