title: The role of Octenidol(®), Glandomed(®) and chlorhexidine mouthwash in the prevention of mucositis and in the reduction of the oropharyngeal flora: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The oropharyngeal flora is of importance for the development of oral mucositis, which is a frequent complication in oncologic practice. It also plays a role in the pathogenesis of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Mucositis is associated with significantly worse clinical and economic outcomes. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of Octenidol(®), Glandomed(®) and chlorhexidine mouthwash in the prevention of mucositis and reduction of the oropharyngeal flora.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, double-blinded RCT including two strata was conducted between October 2008 and November 2010. Stratum i consisted of ventilated cardiothoracic surgical patients. Stratum ii consisted of medical patients with haemato-oncological malignancies requiring stem cell transplantation. The primary outcome measures were development of mucositis regarding to OMAS/WHO score and reduction of the oropharyngeal flora.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both strata showed low OMAS/WHO scores which did not differ significantly between the groups. The overall mean reduction of colony forming units was significantly higher in the Octenidol(®) group compared to the chlorhexidine and the Glandomed(®) groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant differences in the development of mucositis were found, thus all solutions proved successful in the prevention of mucositis. However, Octenidol(®) was superior in the reduction of the oropharyngeal flora. Hence, the preventive effect on nosocomial infections might be higher in patients using Octenidol(®) rather than chlorhexidine or Glandomed(®).
authors.affiliation: Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Nico T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Mutters
authors.affiliation: Marburg University Hospital, Wound and Pain Unit, Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Neubert
authors.affiliation: Marburg University Hospital, Department of Haemato-Oncology, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nieth
authors.affiliation: Marburg University Hospital, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Reinier
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mutters
keywords: chlorhexidine; glandomed; mucositis; octenidol; oropharyngeal flora; randomized controlled trial