Impact of tongue biofilm removal on mechanically ventilated patients.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of a tongue cleaner in the removal of tongue biofilm in mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

Tongue biofilm and tracheal secretion samples were collected from a total of 50 patients: 27 in the study group (SG) who were intubated or tracheostomized under assisted ventilation and treated with the tongue cleaner and 23 in the control group (CG) who did not undergo tongue cleaning. Oral and tracheal secretion cultures of the SG (initially and after 5 days) and the CG (at a single time-point) were performed to evaluate the changes in bacterial flora.

Results

The median age of the SG patients was 77 years (45-99 years), and that of the CG patients was 79 years (21-94 years). The length of hospital stay ranged from 17-1,370 days f

SUBMITTER: Santos PS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4031859 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature