Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia
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Review
Oral hygiene with chlorhexidine in preventing pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common infection in intensive care units (ICUs), and oral antiseptic is used as a preventive measure. We reviewed meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials indexed in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases regarding the topical use of chlorhexidine in the prevention of VAP. ⋯ In seven (87.5%) chlorhexidine diminished the colonization of the oropharynx, and in four (50%) there was a reduction of VAP. Chlorhexidine seems to reduce colonization, thus reducing the incidence of VAP.