Risk factors affecting hospital length of stay in patients with odontogenic maxillofacial infections

Purpose: This study identified potential risk factors associated with increasing hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients with odontogenic maxillofacial infections. Patients and Methods: One hundred twenty-eight patients admitted to Brigham and Women's Hospital by the Division of Oral Surgery between October 1, 1984 and March 31, 1995 with a maxillofacial infection of dental origin were retrospectively identified by a medical chart review. Linear regression techniques were used to explain the relationship between patient admission characteristics and LOS. Variables considered included age, gender, infection location, admission white blood count (WBC), admission temperature, antibiotic treatment during hospitalization, attending surgeon, insurance class, operating room use (ORU), and preexisting medical conditions associated with chronic immunosuppression. Results: The following variables were found to significantly increase LOS: ORU (P = .007), preexisting medical conditions (P < .0001), admission temperature (P = .022), and deep infection (P = .063). Conclusion: LOS is best predicted on the basis of underlying medical conditions and location of the infection.