J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2011 Aug;18(3):356-364.

Effects of Oral Care with 0.12% Chlorhexidine and Saline Solution on Oral Status, Incidence of Oral Pathogens and Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score in Children with Cardiac Surgery

• Koo MJ
• Kim KN
• Hwang SK

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was done to investigate the effects of oral care using 0.12% chlorhexidine and saline solution on oral status, incidence of oral pathogens and pneumonia among children who had cardiac surgery.
METHODS
The study participants were 84 children who underwent cardiac surgery and were admitted to the SICU of a university hospital. Oral care was provided with 0.12% chlorhexidine to the experimental group (n=43) and with saline solution to the control group (n=41), 3 times a day for 3 days. Before and after the intervention, the oral status, oral swab culture, and CPIS were checked.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in oral status score between the two groups. The incidence of oral pathogens in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (t=-5.780, p<.001). The CPIS in experimental group was significantly lower than that of control group (t=-3.665, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
The oral care with 0.12% Chlorhexidine is more effective than with only saline solution for reducing incidence of oral pathogens and pneumonia.

Keyword

Oral Hygiene; Chlorhexidine; Saline Solution; Pneumonia

MeSH Terms

Child
Chlorhexidine
Humans
Incidence
Oral Hygiene
Pneumonia
Sodium Chloride
Thoracic Surgery
Chlorhexidine
Sodium Chloride