Oral care methods to reduce salivary bacteria in infants undergoing cardiac surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Background/purpose: Complications, such as postoperative pneumonia, can occur after pediatric cardiac surgery; however, studies on related changes in perioperative oral bacterial counts are scarce. Herein, we investigated the changes in oral bacterial counts before and after surgery in infants who underwent cardiac surgery, as well as after oral care using an antiseptic mouthwash.

Materials And Methods: A total of 102 infants who underwent congenital heart disease surgery were enrolled in this study.