Predictive factors in difficult postoperative airway management of severe odontogenic deep neck infection

In this study, we aimed to identify risk factors that predict the postoperative need for advanced or prolonged airway management in patients with severe odontogenic deep neck infections (DNIs). This retrospective case-control study included patients of both sexes aged ≥ 18 years who had undergone surgical drainage including debridement of necrotic tissues of odontogenic deep neck abscesses and necrotizing soft tissue infection under general anesthesia between April 2016 and September 2023 at a single center. The patients' characteristics, laboratory tests, and computed tomography (CT) findings were analyzed and compared between the difficult postoperative airway group, which required prolonged intubation or tracheostomy, and the short-term intubation group. Statistical significance was set at P