Deep neck abscess: A retrospective review of 14 cases

Abstract

This study was performed to review our experience of 14 patients with deep neck abscess. All of the patients underwent surgical drainage. We investigated the number of infected compartments in each case and the factors that influenced the outcome. The durations of the drainage and hospitalization of the patients with more than 8 infected compartments, more than 2 drainage operations, and tracheostomy were significantly long. The number of infected compartments was significantly correlated with the durations of the drainage and hospitalization. Therefore, the analysis of infected compartments by CT scan is most important in the treatment and prediction of the outcome for patients of deep neck abscess.