Assessment of pro re nata inpatient opioid consumption following surgical treatment of severe odontogenic infections

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the pro re nata (PRN) opioid consumption of patients with severe odontogenic infections following operating room incision and drainage using odontogenic infection severity scores (SS). Study Design: This retrospective study reviewed consecutive charts of patients admitted for severe odontogenic infections from January 2016 to December 2020. Postoperative opioid doses were tabulated. Severity scores (SSs) were assigned based on the risk to the airway and vital structures. Patients with SS ≥5 were designated as group A and patients with SS <5 as group B. The primary predictor variable was SS, and the primary outcome variable was amount of milligram morphine equivalent consumed. Results: A total of 93 patients met the inclusion criteria. Group A included 40 patients, and group B included 53 patients. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups in age, hospital duration, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification. Group A consumed a significantly greater amount of PRN postoperative inpatient opioid medications (P = .02). Conclusions: Patients with odontogenic infection SS ≥5 consumed more postoperative PRN opioid analgesic medications. Given that odontogenic infections are largely preventable, it is imperative to prevent progression of odontogenic infections to limit patient exposure to opioid medication.