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. 2012 Dec;24(4):369-74.
doi: 10.1590/s0103-507x2012000400013.

The use of 2% chlorhexidine gel and toothbrushing for oral hygiene of patients receiving mechanical ventilation: effects on ventilator-associated pneumonia

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Maria Cristina de Avila Meinberg, Maria de Fátima Meinberg Cheade, Amanda Lucia Dias Miranda, Marcela Mascaro Fachini, Suzana Margareth Lobo

The use of 2% chlorhexidine gel and toothbrushing for oral hygiene of patients receiving mechanical ventilation: effects on ventilator-associated pneumonia

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Maria Cristina de Avila Meinberg et al. Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2012 Dec.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To evaluate the effects of oral chlorhexidine hygiene with toothbrushing on the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a mixed population of critically ill patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Prospective, randomized, and placebo-controlled pilot study. Patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation, had been admitted less than 24 hours prior, and were anticipated to require mechanical ventilation for more than 72 hours were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into one of the following groups: chlorhexidine hygiene with toothbrushing or a placebo group (gel with the same color and consistency and toothbrushing).

Results: The planned interim analysis was conducted using 52 patients, and the study was terminated prematurely. In total, 28 patients were included in the chlorhexidine / toothbrushing group, and 24 patients were included in the placebo group. Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurred in 45.8% of the placebo group and in 64.3% of the chlorhexidine hygiene with toothbrushing group (RR=1.4; 95% CI=0.83-2.34; p=0.29).

Conclusion: Because the study was terminated due to futility, it was not possible to evaluate the impact of oral hygiene using 2% chlorhexidine and toothbrushing on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in this heterogeneous population of critical patients receiving long-term mechanical ventilation, and no beneficial effect was observed for this intervention.

Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da higiene bucal com clorexidina 2% e escovação mecânica sobre a taxa de pneumonia associada a ventilador em uma população mista de pacientes sob ventilação mecânica prolongada.

Métodos: Estudo piloto prospectivo, aleatório e placebo-controlado. Foram incluídos pacientes sob ventilação mecânica, com menos de 24 horas de internação e cuja perspectiva de duração da ventilação mecânica era a de um período <72 horas. Os pacientes foram randomizados para o grupo clorexidina (gel com clorexidina a 2%) e escovação mecânica ou grupo placebo (gel da mesma coloração e consistência e escovação mecânica) na higiene bucal.

Resultados: A análise interina planejada foi realizada quando 52 pacientes foram incluídos, e o estudo foi interrompido precocemente. Um total de 28 pacientes foi incluído no grupo clorexidina/escovação mecânica e 24 no grupo placebo. As taxas de pneumonia associada a ventilador foram de 45,8% no grupo placebo e de 64,3% no grupo clorexidine/escovação mecânica (RR=1,4; IC95%=0,83-2,34;p=0,29).

Conclusão: Devido a interrupção precoce por futilidade, não foi possível avaliar o impacto do uso de clorexidina a 2% e escovação mecânica na higiene bucal na incidência de pneumonia associada a ventilador nessa população heterogênea de pacientes críticos sob ventilação mecânica prolongada, não tendo sido evidenciado nenhum efeito benéfico dessa intervenção.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of the study population. VAP - ventilator associated pneumonia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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