Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Preoperative Professional Tooth Cleaning as a Preventive Measure for Postoperative Pneumonia in OSCC Patients:
Chuqiao Xiao1, Yichun Yang2, Grace Paka Lubamba1,3
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Head and Neck Oncology, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Background:
Professional tooth cleaning is a simple, low-cost preoperative oral intervention. Its role in reducing postoperative complications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included 415 OSCC patients undergoing radical resection with free flap reconstruction. After propensity score matching, 174 well-matched pairs were analyzed. Patients were divided into a tooth cleaning group (n = 174) and a control group (n = 174). Outcomes included postoperative pneumonia (PP), surgical site infection (SSI), fever, length of stay, and unplanned reoperation were recorded.
Results:
Preoperative tooth cleaning was significantly associated with lower PP risk (OR = 0.30). Significant independent risk factors for PP included tumor location at the floor of the mouth (OR = 4.70), hypertension (OR = 2.93), and longer operative duration (OR = 1.33 per hour). The radiographic severity of periodontitis was not a significant risk factor for PP. No associations were found between tooth cleaning and other outcomes. Stratified analyses showed significant protective effects in patients aged > 60 years (OR = 0.19), with hypertension (OR = 0.08), periodontitis (OR = 0.07), or surgeries > 5 h (OR = 0.18).
Conclusion:
Preoperative professional tooth cleaning one day before surgery is associated with a reduced risk of PP in OSCC patients.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Tonsillitis II: Management
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
Tracheostomy Suctioning II: Procedure
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...

