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Selective decontamination of the digestive tract: concept and application
Eva Esther Tejerina-Álvarez1, Miguel Ángel de la Cal López2
1Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Carretera de Toledo, Getafe, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Spain.
Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) prevents infections and reduces mortality in Intensive Care Units. This strategy is cost-effective, safe, and does not increase antimicrobial resistance, despite underutilization.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bacterial overgrowth in the gut is a precursor to infections in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
- Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) targets this overgrowth as a prophylactic measure.
- Despite evidence, SDD is not widely implemented in critical care settings.
Conclusions:
- SDD is a safe and effective intervention for critically ill patients.
- The benefits of SDD, including reduced infections and mortality, are well-supported by evidence.
- Increased implementation of SDD is warranted to improve patient outcomes in ICUs.
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