povidone-iodine and Mouth-Neoplasms

Little has been written about mouth hygiene measures during the immediate postoperative phase in patients with oral cancer. Mouth hygiene not only involves the care and maintenance of the dentition and its related structures, but also the maintenance of surgical sites, reconstructive techniques such as free flaps and generally keeping the mouth clean, which may optimize healing potential and patient comfort. Ward conditions and novel methods of reconstruction require innovation and improvisation of routine methods of mouth and oral hygiene.. A review of techniques of mouth hygiene used during the immediate post-operative phase by our unit over the last nine years and a review of the literature.. Various methods gained from our experience in treating patients with oral cancer at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre are documented. Most methods involve a combination of either chlorhexidine or normal saline mouth rinses and mechanical cleaning.. There are many different methods of mouth care in patients who have had resection for oral tumours. It is important for dental practitioners, hygienists and allied health professionals, who may be involved with care of such patients to have an understanding of the methods that are available and appropriate for such patients.

Topics: Anesthetics, Local; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Chlorhexidine; Dental Plaque; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Mouth Neoplasms; Mouthwashes; Oral Hygiene; Oxidants; Patient Care Planning; Postoperative Care; Povidone-Iodine; Sodium Chloride; Surgical Flaps; Toothbrushing; Wound Healing

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in society experiencing unprecedented challenges for health care practitioners and facilities serving at the frontlines of this pandemic. With regard to oral cancer, there is a complete absence of literature regarding the long-term impact of pandemics on patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). The objective of this article is to put forth an institutional multidisciplinary approach for the evaluation and management of OPMDs.. A multidisciplinary approach was put formalized within our institution to risk stratify patients based on need for in-person assessment vs telehealth assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic.. With judicious risk stratification of patients based on clinical features of their OPMD and with consideration of ongoing mitigation efforts and regional pandemic impact, providers are able to safely care for their patients.. The COVID-19 pandemic has required health care practitioners to make novel decisions that are new to us with development of creative pathways of care that focused on patient safety, mitigation efforts, and clinical management of disease processes. The care of patients with OPMDs requires special considerations especially as patients at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness are also higher risk for the development of OPMDs.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Betacoronavirus; Clinical Decision-Making; Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; Critical Pathways; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Infection Control; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; Leukoplakia, Oral; Mouth Neoplasms; Pandemics; Personal Protective Equipment; Pneumonia, Viral; Povidone-Iodine; Risk Assessment; SARS-CoV-2; Telemedicine

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Antineoplastic Agents; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms; Mouthwashes; Povidone; Povidone-Iodine; Thyroid Gland