NCT07125495

The Effect of an Suction Toothbrush on the Development of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

The Effect of an Suction Toothbrush in Intubated Intensive Care Patients on the Development of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Koç University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Literature suggests that suction toothbrushes may improve oral care in intubated patients by facilitating secretion removal and reducing microaspiration. This could decrease the need for endotracheal suctioning and lower the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of a suction toothbrush on the development of VAP in intubated patients.

Detailed description

in the literature examining the superiority of a suction toothbrush over another regarding the frequency of oral care practices, appropriate solution and material use in intubated patients. It is believed that a suction toothbrush will both facilitate oral care and clear oral secretions. By minimizing secretion accumulation in the mouth, it will prevent microaspiration and reduce the need for endotracheal suctioning in patients. Determining the most effective oral care method is expected to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia and positively impact patient mortality. Considering all this information, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of a suction toothbrush on the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated patients.

Conditions

• Infection
• Intensive Care (ICU)
• Intubation
• Intubation Complication

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Suction tootbrush and distiled water	All tooth surfaces, oral mucosa, and the tongue and surrounding area were cleaned every 8 hours (3x1) with distilled water and a suction toothbrush. The aspiration feature of the suction toothbrush enabled oral care and simultaneous aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions.
OTHER	suction tootbrush and .12% chlorhexidine gluconate	Every 8 hours (3x1) 15 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate oral solution (Adıgüzel, 2015) will be used with a suction toothbrush to clean all tooth surfaces, the oral mucosa, and the tongue. The aspiration feature of the suction toothbrush allows for the aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions during oral care.
OTHER	Oral care sponge and with 15 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate oral solution	All tooth surfaces, oral mucosa, and the tongue and surrounding tongue were cleaned with 15 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate oral solution (Adıgüzel, 2015) every 8 hours (3x1) and an oral care sponge used in oral care in the intensive care unit. After oral care, oropharyngeal secretions were aspirated.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-01
• Primary completion: 2025-12-01
• Completion: 2025-12-20
• First posted: 2025-08-15
• Last updated: 2025-08-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)