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

Abstract

IntroductionFollowing 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 MethodsA 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.ResultsBetween 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).ConclusionFollowing 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 Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 2024