Impact of Preoperative Dental Plaque Culture for Predicting Postoperative Pneumonia in Esophageal Cancer Patients

Vol. 25, No. 2, 2008

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 142 KB)

Original Paper

Impact of Preoperative Dental Plaque Culture for Predicting Postoperative Pneumonia in Esophageal Cancer Patients
Yasunori Akutsu, Hisahiro Matsubara, Shinichi Okazumi, Hideaki Shimada, Kiyohiko Shuto, Toru Shiratori, Takenori Ochiai

Department of Frontier Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan

Address of Corresponding Author

Dig Surg 2008;25:93-97 (DOI: 10.1159/000121903)

Key Words

Esophageal cancer
Postoperative complication
Pneumonia
Dental plaque
Oral care

Abstract

Background/Aims: In esophageal cancer patients, postoperative pneumonia frequently occurs. In the oral cavity, dental plaque is a major reservoir of bacteria, and it is possible that oral bacteria are aspirated into the upper respiratory tract after esophagectomy. We evaluated the interaction between preoperative dental plaque and postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing esophagectomy. Patients and Methods: Thirty-nine patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy were investigated. Preoperatively, dental plaque was collected and the bacterial flora investigated. If postoperative pneumonia occurred, the sputum was harvested and the pathogens were evaluated. Result: Postoperative pneumonia was observed in 14 patients (35.9%): 5 (71.4%) of 7 patients in the pathogen-positive group and 9 (28.1%) of 32 patients in the pathogen-negative group. In 2 (40.0%) of 5 patients with postoperative pneumonia, who had pathogenic bacteria in the preoperative dental plaque, the same pathogenic bacteria were also identified in the postoperative sputum. Conclusion: Pathogens in preoperative dental plaque are risk factors for postoperative pneumonia following thoracotomy in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer.

Author Contacts

Yasunori Akutsu
1-8-1, Inohana, Chuoku
Chiba 260-8670 (Japan)
Tel./Fax +81 43 226 2111
E-Mail yakutsu@faculty.chiba-u.jp

Article Information

Received: June 13, 2007
Accepted: October 10, 2007
Published online: March 28, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 15

Medline Abstract (ID 18379186)

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