Bacterial comparison of preoperative rinsing and swabbing for oral surgery using 0.2% chlorhexidine.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to compare bacterial load using preoperative rinsing and swabbing techniques for oral surgery with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX).


METHODS
Participants were healthy volunteers undergoing a general anesthetic for the removal of teeth. Participants were randomly allocated to receive 15 mL of 0.2% CHX for 60 s as either a rinse or have their mouths swabbed. Plaque samples were aseptically collected pre- and post-rinsing from the same sites in all patients (the distal surface of all second molar teeth).


RESULTS
Patients in the swab group had similar bacteria counts before and after the application of CHX (143.4 vs 138.5 colonies, P = 1.000). After rinsing with CHX, there was an eightfold reduction of bacterial load (71 vs 8.8 colonies, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates that the use of CHX as an antimicrobial agent is effective in reducing the overall number of bacterial colonies in the oral cavity. Rinsing is a more effective method of doing this.
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Nigel R
NR
Johnson
School Of Dentistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Andrea
A
Kazoullis
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Alexander M
AM
Bobinskas
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Lee
L
Jones
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Dietmar W
DW
Hutmacher
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Anthony
A
Lynham
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000382:microbiology; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D002710:Chlorhexidine
bacterial comparison; chlorhexidine; oral surgery; rinsing; swabbing