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Numerous studies report that perioperative oral care decreases the frequency of postoperative pneumonia or infection. However, no studies have analyzed the specific impact of oral infection sources on the postoperative course, and the criteria for preoperative dental care differ among institutions. This study aimed to analyze the factors and dental conditions present in patients with postoperative pneumonia and infection. Our results suggest that general factors related to postoperative pneumonia, including thoracic surgery, sex (male > female), the presence or absence of perioperative oral management, smoking history, and operation time, were identified, but there were no dental-related risk factors associated with it. However, the only general factor related to postoperative infectious complications was operation time, and the only dental-related risk factor was periodontal pocket (4 mm or higher). These results suggest that oral management immediately before surgery is sufficient to prevent postoperative pneumonia, but that moderate periodontal disease must be eliminated to prevent postoperative infectious complication, which requires periodontal treatment not only immediately before surgery, but also on a daily basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most malignant cancer of the gastrointestinal system, and is associated with high rates of postoperative complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs). Perioperative oral care is an effective measure for preventing postoperative pneumonia. However, the preventive effects of perioperative oral care on SSIs have not been reported. We investigated the preventive effects of perioperative oral care on SSIs after pancreatic cancer surgery. Methods: A total of 103 patients with PDAC who underwent radical resection at Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital (2011–2018) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Of the 103 patients, 75 received perioperative oral care by dentists and dental hygienists (oral care group), whereas 28 did not (control group). Univariate and multivariate analyses with propensity score as a covariate were used to investigate the incidence and risk factors of SSIs in the oral care and control groups. Results: The incidence of SSIs was significantly lower in the oral care group than in the control group (12.0% vs. 39.3%, P = 0.004). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a soft pancreas, the surgical procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy), blood transfusion, diabetes mellitus, and the absence of oral care intervention were risk factors for SSIs. The odds ratio for the absence of oral care intervention was 6.090 (95% confidence interval: 1.750–21.200, P = 0.004). Conclusion: Our results suggest that perioperative oral care may reduce the risk of developing SSIs after pancreatic cancer surgery. These findings need to be evaluated in future prospective studies. Trial registration: UMIN registration number: UMIN000042082; October 15, 2020, retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]