Do Disinfectant Solutions during Gargling Reach the Pharynx?

Abstract

Introduction: In times of COVID-19, gargling disinfectant is commonly used. Disinfectant solutions seem to decrease the infection's symptoms. For disinfection, several techniques are reported. So far, there are no data about the regions in the upper airways achieved by gargled fluid.

Methods: Ten healthy volunteers without any dysphagia were investigated with a high-sensitivity flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (hsFEES®) during and after gargling colored water. One volunteer repeated the gargling process in fast and real-time MRI.

Results: In all cases, no color accumulation was detected on the posterior pharyngeal wall, epi- or hypopharynx during gargling. The MRI scans confirmed the results.

Conclusions: hsFEES® and fast MRI provide an insight into the gargling pattern. Data show that during gargling, the fluid covers the soft tissue in the oral cavity and the anterior part of the soft palate, but not the posterior pharyngeal wall nor the epi- and hypopharynx.

Keywords: COVID-19; Disinfection; Oral rinse; Respiratory infection.