ASSESSMENT OF THE SEVERITY OF SPREADING ODONTOGENIC INFECTIONS AT KOMFO ANOKYE TEACHING HOSPITAL.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Odontogenic infection is the major cause of sepsis in the orofacial region, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. It is, therefore, important for the clinician to determine the severity of the odontogenic infection and institute an aggressive treatment protocol when necessary to reduce the incidence of morbidity and mortality.
AIM: To assess the severity of odontogenic infection using clinical parameters at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study employed a prospective cross-sectional design. The study was conducted over six months with
selected participants in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Oral Health Directorate at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). The severity of odontogenic infections in each enrolled participant was determined using the Sainuddin et al. scoring criteria for odontogenic infections. Clinical parameters of dysphagia, SIRS, fascial space involvement, signs of dehydration, trismus, and comorbid conditions were used by Sainuddin et al. in scoring the patients. These parameters were used to clinically score the participant and thereby predict the severity of the odontogenic infection. The length of stay and treatment outcome were also determined. Data was captured and coded using Excel. It was then cleaned and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0.
RESULTS: Atotal of 62 participants were enrolled in the study, comprising 31 males (50.0%) and 31 females (50.0%). Their ages ranged
from 2 to 86 years, with mean, median, and modal ages of 44.8 years, 43 years, and 37 years, respectively. The clinical severity scores,
using Sainuddin et al. (2017) criteria, were as follows: 27 (44.0%) moderate, 18 (29.0%) mild, and 17 (27.0%) severe.
CONCLUSION: Most patients with odontogenic infections presented with moderate severity, followed by mild and severe cases.