Comparison of effects of Chlorhexidine mouthwash with Herbal Cinnamol mouthwash on prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a prevalent infection of intensive care unit(ICU) accompanied with increased rate of complications and mortality. This study is raised with the aim of comparing effects of Chlorhexidine mouthwash with Herbal Cinnamon mouthwash on prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia among patients hospitalized in ICU.

Methods: Number of eighty-six patients admitted at ICU was divided into two 43-member groups. First group underwent moth washing using Chlorhexidine mouthwash2% and 2nd group underwent mouth washing using Herbal Cinnamol mouthwash. Frequency and onset of VAP incidence were compared in two groups.

Results: Groups under treatment with Cinnamol and Chlorhexidine were not different considering demographic factors (P>0.05). In Cinnamol group, 25(58.13%) and in Chlorhexidine group, 27(62.79%) had pneumonia. Incidence of VAP was not different in two groups (P=0.826). In Cinnamol group, 32% of patients presented VAP prior to fifth day of ventilation and 68% after fifth day and in Chlorhexidine group 22.22% prior to fifth day and 77.77% after fifth day. VAP onset was not significantly different among two groups (P=0.536).

Conclusion: Chlorhexidine mouthwash in comparison to Cinnamol mouthwash for prevention of VAP among patients admitted at ICU presented no superiority considering considering decrease in VAP incidence and onset.