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COVID-19 Pandemic – Impact on Deep Neck Space Infections: a Retrospective Cohort Study
  • Alexander Charlton,
  • Raul Simon,
  • Anthony Simons
Alexander Charlton
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Raul Simon
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
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Anthony Simons
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
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Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate whether changes in practice and patient behaviour due to the covid-19 pandemic impacted the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with deep neck space infections (DNSI). Design Retrospective cohort study including all adults presenting to the otolaryngology department at a tertiary UK centre with a DNSI during the first 12 months of the covid-19 pandemic (n = 27), and those from the previous 12 month period (n = 26). Patients with peritonsillar abscess which did not involve deep neck spaces radiologically were excluded. Results The covid-19 pandemic cohort tended to present later after onset of symptoms (5.96 days vs 3.25 days, p = 0.0277), have abscess formation rather than inflammation only (77.8% vs 34.6%, p < 0.01), and develop complications (33.3% vs 7.7%, p = 0.0394). Not reaching statistical significance, the covid-19 pandemic cohort also had larger volume abscess (25.18cm3 vs 14.5cm3, p = 0.291), longer hospital stay (14.48 days vs 6.35 days, p = 0.114), and longer intensive care stay (7.88 days vs 1.78 days, p = 0.0992). Non-significant changes were noted in management, with the covid-19 pandemic cohort being seven times more likely to undergo tracheostomy (25.9% vs 3.8%, p = 0.0504), and more likely to undergo transcervical drainage (37% vs 19.2%, p = 0.224) and hot tonsillectomy (11.1% vs 0%, p = 0.236). Conclusion This study demonstrates the covid-19 pandemic led to delayed presentation and more severe infection, requiring more radical management in patients with DNSI.
04 Jan 2022Submitted to Clinical Otolaryngology
06 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
06 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
26 Jan 20221st Revision Received
28 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
28 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
31 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
23 Feb 20222nd Revision Received
26 Feb 2022Submission Checks Completed
26 Feb 2022Assigned to Editor
01 Mar 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Apr 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 May 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
07 May 20223rd Revision Received
12 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
12 May 2022Assigned to Editor
16 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 May 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
24 Jul 20224th Revision Received
03 Aug 2022Submission Checks Completed
03 Aug 2022Assigned to Editor
11 Aug 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Oct 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
25 Oct 20225th Revision Received
28 Oct 2022Submission Checks Completed
28 Oct 2022Assigned to Editor
23 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
May 2023Published in Clinical Otolaryngology volume 48 issue 3 on pages 479-488. 10.1111/coa.14034