[Significance and Points to Note of Perioperative Oral Care]

With the development of minimally invasive surgery for lung cancer, surgical indications for elderly patients have been increasing. However, elderly patients are at risk for aspiration pneumonia, which is accompanied by a decline in swallowing function and results in aspiration pneumonia. More than 700- 1,000 species are present in the oral microbiome, and the progression of the oral microbiome to the lung has been reported to be associated with poor prognosis. Perioperative complications include dental injuries associated with intubation for general anesthesia and postoperative pneumonia. Preoperative tooth extractions and mouth protectors are effective in preventing dental injuries. Perioperative oral care is often reported to be effective in preventing postoperative pneumonia by removing dental calculus and plaque and cleaning the tongue and stimulating saliva production. Oral care should be continued after as well as before surgery to avoid delaying adjuvant therapy. If the hospital performing the surgery has the department of dentistry and oral surgery, oral care can be completed in the hospital. However, if the hospital does not have that department, it is necessary to collaborate with a local dental clinic in various ways.