Variation in the Management of Children With Deep Neck Infections.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Children with deep neck infections (DNIs) are increasingly being managed nonsurgically with intravenous antibiotics. Our objective was to examine variation in the management of children with DNIs across US children's hospitals.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Children ≤12 years of age hospitalized for retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal abscesses from 2010 to 2018 were included. Hospital variation in management modality and imaging use was described. Temporal trends in management modality were assessed by using logistic regression. Medical management alone versus a combination of medical and surgical management was assessed, and the characteristics of children in these 2 groups were compared. The relationship between hospital rates of initial medical management and failed medical management was assessed by using linear regression.

RESULTS

Hospitals varied widely in their rates of surgical management from 17% to 70%. The overall rate of surgical management decreased from 42.0% to 33.5% over the study period. Children managed surgically had higher rates of ICU admission (11.5% vs 3.2%; < .001) and higher hospital charges ($25 241 vs $15 088; < .001) compared with those managed medically alone. Seventy-three percent of children underwent initial medical management, of whom 17.9% went on to undergo surgery. Hospitals with higher rates of initial medical management had lower rates of failed medical management (β = -.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Although rates of surgical management of pediatric DNI are decreasing over time, there remains considerable variation in management across US children's hospitals. Children managed surgically have higher rates of resource use and costs.