Deep neck space infections of odontogenic origin are costly and preventable

Authors

  • Christina Hellgren Clinic of General Dentistry Järntorget, Public Dental Service, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Johan Hellgren Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Behnosh Öhrnell Malekzadeh Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Public Dental Service, Region Västra Götaland, Borås, Sweden; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/aos.v83.41382

Keywords:

Deep neck space infection, odontogenic, cost of illness, direct costs, indirect costs

Abstract

Objective: Deep neck space infections (DNSI), caused by the spread of an odontogenic infection to the floor of the mouth and neck, are potentially life-threatening but preventable. We explored the total cost of illness (COI) for patients with DNSI of odontogenic origin.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional, register-based, multi-centre study of the health economics of DNSI treatment. Included were patients aged > 18 years who were treated in hospital for DNSI of odontogenic origin. Subjects were identified from the regional healthcare database VEGA based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and surgical procedure codes. The cost per patient (CPP) values for the hospital care, prescription medications and sick leave were extracted.

Results: In total, 148 patients were included. The average length of the hospital stay was 6 days. Total COI was estimated as 15,400 EUR per patient and 2,280,000 EUR in total. Direct costs accounted for 93% of the COI, and indirect costs were 7%.

Conclusion: The total COI for patients with DNSI of odontogenic origin was six-fold higher than the average COI for patients in otorhinolaryngology (ORL) care. Preventing DNSI will entail substantial cost savings for the specialised healthcare units and will have a significant impact on the patients.

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Published

2024-09-09

Issue

Vol. 83: (2024) Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

Section

Research article

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Copyright (c) 2024 Christina Hellgren, Johan Hellgren, Behnosh Öhrnell Malekzadeh

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.