A Comparison of Post-operative Infection Between Short Stay and Long Stay Patients in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Patients

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) patients are at risk of postoperative infection due to the oral microbial environment and the need for hospitalization. Longer hospital stays are associated with higher infection risk and increased morbidity. However, the effect of hospitalization duration on postoperative infection in OMFS patients in Bangladesh is unclear. This study compares infection rates between short- and long-stay OMFS patients and identifies factors associated with infection risk. Methods & Materials: This hospital-based comparative observational study was conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, from January 2025 to December 2025. 90 adult patients undergoing major OMFS procedures were grouped into short stay (≤7 days) and long stay (>7 days). Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression in SPSS v26, with p<0.05 considered significant. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: 90 OMFS patients were studied, with equal numbers in short- and long-stay groups. Most patients were aged 36–55 years and male. Cystic lesions and oral cancer were the most common diagnoses. Postoperative infection occurred in 43.3% of patients and was significantly higher in long-stay patients than short-stay patients (62.2% vs 24.4%, p<0.001). Diabetes mellitus and oral cancer were significantly associated with infection. Multivariate analysis showed long hospital stay, diabetes mellitus, and oral cancer as independent predictors of postoperative infection. Conclusion: Postoperative infection was significantly higher in long-stay OMFS patients. Prolonged hospital stays, diabetes mellitus, and oral cancer were key predictors of infection, highlighting the need for early discharge planning and careful management of high-risk patients.