Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Pharyngeal flora in patients undergoing head and neck oncologic surgery
1Service ORL, Hôpital Bichat Claude Bernard, Paris, France.
Abstract:
In order to specify the correlation between pharyngeal flora and the onset of surgical wound infection, we conducted two prospective studies on patients undergoing oncologic surgical procedures with expected contamination by pharyngeal secretions. In the first study, an oropharyngeal swab and a specific swab of the tumour were collected the day before, or on the day of surgery. As potential pathogens were always isolated in the oropharyngeal swab, it was considered that the tumour is not infected but is colonised by the oropharyngeal flora. A second pharyngeal swab was collected at day 5-7 in the second study. Preliminary results in the second study showed that 50% (11/22) of patients were orpharyngeal carriers of pathogens before surgery. This rate is 70% (15/22) in the post-operative period with a higher rate of gram negative rods. WSI occurred in 7/22 patients (32%), mainly with isolated rods similar to those observed in the oropharyngeal post-operative flora and potential pathogens in 5/7 patients. More patients are necessary to establish a link between pre-operative ropharyngeal pathogens and the occurrence of SWI.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
Tonsillitis II: Management
Tracheostomy Care I: Pre-procedural Steps
Required Equipment
The equipment necessary for tracheostomy care includes:
Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management
1. Nursing Care of Patients Before Intubation
Before the endotracheal intubation procedure, nurses play an essential role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. The nurses must be familiar with intubation...
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

