Evaluation of Different Methods for Removing OralBiofilm in Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

摘要

>Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the different methods for removing oral biofilm in combination with 0.12% chlorhexidine, in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the General University Hospital. >Materials and Methods: Initially, the patients were included in the study and underwent periodontal evaluation by means of the visible plaque index (VPI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI). The removal of visible biofilm, by a professional, was carried out using a toothbrush and dental floss, followed by the application of a 0.12% chlorhexidine solution. The patients were included in this randomized and controlled study into four groups (total n = 48), as follows: Chlorhexidine and gauze 12/12 h; chlorhexidine and gauze 24/24 h; chlorhexidine and brushing 12/12 h; chlorhexidine and brushing 24/24 h. The patients underwent the biofilm removal protocol for7 days and then were subjected to a new clinical evaluation as toVPI and GBI. Data analysis was performed through stratification andarrangement of the records, in order to carry out the associationswith health indicators used in the study, and the statistical testsused were Kappa and t-test for independent and paired samples.>Results:A decrease in the VPI and GBI values when comparing baseline to thefinal evaluation for all groups was observed.>Conclusion:Based on the methodology, it was possible to concluded thatchlorhexidine associated with the mechanical action of thetoothbrush or gauze in the times 12 h and 24 h in the ICUenvironment presented the same results as regards amount of visiblebiofilm.>How to cite the article:Oliveira MS, Borges AH, Mattos FZ, Semenoff TA, Segundo AS, TonettoMR, Bandeca MC, Porto AN. Evaluation of different methods forremoving oral biofilm in patients admitted to the intensive careunit. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(3):61-4.