Predictors of poor outcome of deep neck infections

Deep neck infections remain a significant cause of morbidity, although their prevalence has been diminshed with modern antimicrobal therapy. The retrospective study shows that our experience in the treatment of serious cases of deep neck infections (phlegmons) and to inditify the predictors of a possibly poor outcome. This retrospective study comprised 44 patients with neck phlegmons, who were treated at the ENT Clinic, during 2000-2016. The study included the etiology, predisposing factors, causative microbiological organisms, and the clinical outcomes associated with the mortality. In the analised period, 44 patients with deep neck infections (phlegmons) were noted. The average age of the patients was 45.9 years (from 14-81), there were 26 males (59%). The patients were on average, in the hospital for 22.5 days (from 3-80 days). Staphillococus aureus was the most common isolated bacteria. Death was noted in 10 patients (22.7%). Conclusion: Diagnose made in the right time, aggresive surgical curing with using the aimed antibacterial therapy was the key to sucess in the treatment of the patients with deep neck infections. The predictors of poor prognosis in our patients were a association of conditions: tonsillar disease, diabetes mellitus, mediastinitis, age above 65 years.