304 - Intravenous Clindamycin and Ampicillin Sulbactam Efficacy in Odontogenic Facial Cellulitis

Abstract:

Introduction: In the United States, dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease in the pediatric population. Dental caries can lead to a myriad of issues if left untreated, including dental pain, facial swelling, and a decreased quality of life for children by inhibiting everyday activities like eating, drinking, and speaking. When dental caries leads to facial cellulitis, intravenous antibiotics can be administered to reduce facial swelling and help provide early definitive dental treatment. Two commonly used intravenous antibiotics that are administered to patients with facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin are clindamycin and ampicillin sulbactam (Unasyn).

Methods: Our study measured differences in hospital admission duration of pediatric patients diagnosed with facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin receiving intravenous clindamycin or intravenous ampicillin sulbactam. A chart review (Epic) of patients admitted with facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin was conducted from January 2019-December 2022. During that timeframe, approximately 223 patients received either intravenous clindamycin or ampicillin sulbactam, and definitive dental treatment was completed by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Dentistry.

Results: The average duration of stay for patients treated with intravenous clindamycin and intravenous ampicillin sulbactam was 1.83 days and 1.70 days, respectively. A p-value of .0164 was calculated comparing the two antibiotics and patients' duration of hospital admission.

Conclusion: Our research demonstrates that there is no statistical difference between intravenous clindamycin and intravenous ampicillin sulbactam in relation to duration of hospital admission.

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