Risk Factors Affecting Length of Stay in Patients with Deep Neck Space Infection

Objectives Analyze risk factors affecting length of stay (LOS) for patients presenting with deep neck space infections including care by medical versus surgical team. Methods This is a retrospective chart review from January 2005 through May 2018 at the University of Kentucky analyzing factors related to deep neck space abscesses. Patients included adults >18 years old admitted for deep neck space infections undergoing surgical intervention. This study compared effects of treatment on a medical versus surgical service on LOS while accounting for patient confounders. Independent variables included age, gender, tobacco use, medical comorbidities, Charlson comorbidity index, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification, presence of drain, readmissions, and repeat surgical interventions. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. Results One hundred sixty‐three patients were included in the analysis. LOS was significantly longer for those on medicine services ( P < .001). Patients on medicine services had a higher incidence of diabetes ( P = .011), higher Charlson comorbidity score ( P = .001), and higher incidence of repeat interventions ( P = .005). Postoperative LOS remained lower for patients on a surgical service ( P = .009) after adjusting for Charlson comorbidity scores. Presence of a drain or tobacco use was not significant between service management ( P = .89; P = .63) or LOS ( P = .366; P = .225). Conclusion Increased postoperative LOS was associated with age, diabetes, ASA class, Charlson comorbidity index, and repeat procedures. Patients on a medicine service had longer LOS and higher comorbidity indices. Patients had shorter hospital stays on surgical services after adjusting for comorbidity indices. Use of a drain or presence of tobacco use did not affect LOS. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope , 130:2133–2137, 2020