Does Time to the Operating Room Affect Outcomes in Odontogenic Infection Patients?

Abstract

Diagnosis and treatments of odontogenic infections is arguably one of the most important responsibilities of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. With a command of the complex anatomy of the head and neck region and armed with knowledge of the dentition that feeds into the physiopathology of the infection, oral and maxillofacial surgeons find themselves one of the only head and neck specialists able to treat this disease. Several decades ago, odontogenic infections were a significant source of morbidity at rates greater than 50% in some reports. The current trend in an increase in unsponsored patients seeking treatment. This trend has cost hospital centers upwards of millions of dollars per year. While some factors, such as patient medical complexity and increasing antibiotic resistance are known factors in increasing costs, a surgeon and facility dependent factor- time to the operating room- has not been studied. Understanding the effect of delayed surgical intervention is critical to fully understanding ways to mitigate costs associated with odontogenic infection patients.