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Updated: May 24, 2026
04:32
Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Ventilator-associated pneumonia with or without toothbrushing: a randomized controlled trial
Summary
Adding toothbrushing to chlorhexidine oral care did not significantly reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence in critical care patients. This study found no difference in VAP rates between groups receiving oral care with or without manual brushing.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Oral Hygiene Research
Background:
- Guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) often recommend chlorhexidine oral care.
- The specific role of toothbrushing in VAP prevention alongside chlorhexidine has been largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether incorporating manual toothbrushing into chlorhexidine oral care impacts the incidence of VAP in intensive care unit (ICU) patients on mechanical ventilation.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial was conducted in a medical-surgical ICU.
- Patients on mechanical ventilation for over 24 hours received oral care with 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate, with one group also receiving manual toothbrushing.
- Tracheal aspirate samples were collected to monitor for VAP.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in VAP incidence was observed between the toothbrushing group (9.7%) and the non-toothbrushing group (11.0%).
- The odds ratio for VAP with toothbrushing was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.469-1.615; p=0.75).
Conclusions:
- Manual toothbrushing, when added to chlorhexidine oral care, does not provide additional benefit in preventing VAP in mechanically ventilated critical care patients.
- Current VAP prevention strategies may not require the addition of manual toothbrushing to chlorhexidine protocols.
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