Risk factors for transcervical incision and drainage of pediatric deep neck infections

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for transcervical approaches in the treatment of pediatric deep neck infections (DNIs). We performed a retrospective analysis of data from patients who were diagnosed with DNIs. All medical records were reviewed for demographic characteristics, presenting signs and symptoms, duration of symptoms, size of abscess, laboratory results, duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotic administration, duration of hospitalization, medical treatment, and type of surgical drainage (oral or transcervical approach). We divided 126 patients into three groups according to the approach used to treat the DNI: non-surgical, intraoral surgical and external transcervical surgical. The average ages of the non-surgical, intraoral, and transcervical groups were 10.46±5.27, 12.75±4.82 and 5.54±5.15years, respectively. The transcervical approach was used to treat younger patients (p