The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Hospital Admissions of Common Head and Neck Infections

Matthew Urichuk; Jason Lee Azzi; Darren J Leitao

doi:10.1002/lary.31366

The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Hospital Admissions of Common Head and Neck Infections

Laryngoscope. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.1002/lary.31366. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Matthew Urichuk¹, Jason Lee Azzi², Darren J Leitao²

Affiliations

¹ Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
² Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

PMID: 38415842
DOI: 10.1002/lary.31366

Abstract

Introduction: Following the emergence of COVID-19, multiple preventative measures were implemented to limit the spread of the disease. This study aims to elucidate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on hospital admissions of otolaryngology-related infections.

Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to capture all admissions for otolaryngology-related infections in the 2 years pre- and post-COVID-19 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. These infections included croup, tracheitis, neck abscess, peritonsillar abscess, otitis media, mastoiditis, sinus infection, orbital infection, pharyngotonsillitis, retro/parapharyngeal abscess, and acute epiglottitis. Demographic information and admission details were collected and analyzed to compare pre- and post-COVID-19 admissions. Further analysis was conducted to compare hospital admissions of patients from rural/remote regions.

Results: Between March 2018 and March 2022, 253 pediatric patients and 197 adults were admitted for otolaryngology-related infections. Total pediatric admissions decreased post-COVID-19 (154 pre-COVID-19, 99 post-COVID-19; p < 0.001) whereas adult admissions remained stable (107 pre-COVID-19, 90 post-COVID-19; p = 0.25). No significant difference in mean patient age, admission duration, surgical rates or in the proportion of admissions from patients from rural/remote regions was observed in the pediatric or adult cohort when comparing pre-COVID-19 data to post-COVID-19 data. Diagnosis-specific changes in admissions were observed in pediatric croup (40 pre-COVID-19, 15 post-COVID-19; p < 0.001) and in adult orbital infections (30 pre-COVID-19, six post-COVID-19; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Following the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions, there was a decrease in admissions due to pediatric croup and adult orbital infections with an overall decrease in pediatric Otolaryngology-infection related admissions.

Level of evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Keywords: COVID-19; admission; adult; pediatric.