Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · May 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffects of topical oral antiseptic rinses on bacterial counts of saliva in healthy human subjects.
Wound infections remain a significant source of morbidity in patients undergoing major head and neck operations that invade the aerodigestive tract. Infection rates have been significantly reduced by the administration of perioperative intravenous antibiotics; however, the incidence of infection remains unacceptably high. This study was undertaken to help identify an oral antiseptic that could significantly reduce the bacterial colony count of human saliva. ⋯ Both Listerine antiseptic and Peridex oral rinse significantly reduced bacterial counts at 1 hour after treatment in our volunteers. At 4 hours after treatment, Peridex oral rinse showed a further reduction in the bacterial colony count whereas Listerine antiseptic showed no difference compared with normal saline solution. At 4 hours after treatment, Peridex oral rinse reduced the total bacterial colony count by 85%.