The impact of oral microbiota changes on the prognosis of patients with tracheostomy after craniocerebral trauma

The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of relatively dynamic twist in oral microbiota on the prognosis of patients with craniocerebral trauma after tracheostomy. For these patients, the oral bacteria may spread easily since they can culture and move downwards, and become the direct causes of pulmonary infections. Several studies have identified oropharyngeal colonizing pathogens as a potential risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), a major cause of increased hospital duration, medical cost, mortality and ventilator dependence. Retrospective study of patients with severe craniocerebral trauma requiring tracheostomy. The incidence of pulmonary infections was measured for all patients, as well as the characteristics of the oral microbiota in the group with standard oral management vs the group with improved oral management plus continuous subglottic suctioning. Furthermore, the incidence of VAP and prognosis in the enhanced oral management group were significantly improved compared to standard care group. The findings showed that the group of patients who received enhanced oral management had a significantly lower rate of pulmonary infections and more rapid recovery of respiratory function. Together with this, the alterations of oral microbiota were strongly linked to the occurrence of pulmonary infections. In more detail, the oral management by which chlorhexidine mouthwash and soft-bristled toothbrushes were used was confirmed to have the effect of reducing the incidence of VAP. This study shows that alterations in oral microbiota significantly affect the prognosis of patients with tracheostomy after craniocerebral injury.