LAUSR

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate whether changes in practice and patient behaviour due to the covid-19 pandemic impacted the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with deep neck space infections (DNSI). Design Retrospective cohort study including all adults presenting to the otolaryngology department at a tertiary UK centre with a DNSI during the first 12 months of the covid-19 pandemic (n = 27), and those from the previous 12 month period (n = 26). Patients with peritonsillar abscess which did not involve deep neck spaces radiologically were excluded. Results The covid-19 pandemic cohort tended to present later after onset of symptoms (5.96 days vs 3.25 days, p = 0.0277), have abscess formation rather than inflammation only (77.8% vs 34.6%, p < 0.01), and develop complications (33.3% vs 7.7%, p = 0.0394). Not reaching statistical significance, the covid-19 pandemic cohort also had larger volume abscess (25.18cm3 vs 14.5cm3, p = 0.291), longer hospital stay (14.48 days vs 6.35 days, p = 0.114), and longer intensive care stay (7.88 days vs 1.78 days, p = 0.0992). Non-significant changes were noted in management, with the covid-19 pandemic cohort being seven times more likely to undergo tracheostomy (25.9% vs 3.8%, p = 0.0504), and more likely to undergo transcervical drainage (37% vs 19.2%, p = 0.224) and hot tonsillectomy (11.1% vs 0%, p = 0.236). Conclusion This study demonstrates the covid-19 pandemic led to delayed presentation and more severe infection, requiring more radical management in patients with DNSI.