Positive impact of perioperative oral management on the risk of surgical site infections after abdominal surgery: A multicenter retrospective analysis conducted in Japan

Abstract Background: Postoperative surgical site infections (SSI) can be major complications, which can prolong postoperative treatment. Perioperative oral management (POM) was first covered by Japanese national health insurance system in 2012, and patients that are scheduled to undergo major surgical treatment receive dental and oral management during the perioperative period. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ability of POM to prevent perioperative SSI in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: The patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and the effects of POM were investigated in a multicenter analysis involving many cases. Detailed information about SSI was assessed and compared between patients with and without POM in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: In total, the cases of 2,782 patients (1,750 males 1,032 females) were reviewed. Of these, POM was performed in 778 patients (28.0%). Univariate analyses revealed that diabetes mellitus, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, the surgical site, the preoperative Prognostic Nutritional Index score, POM, the extent of surgery, the operation time, and the amount of intraoperative blood loss were significantly associated with postoperative SSI (Chi-square or Mann-Whitney U-test, p <0.01). The multivariate analysis revealed that POM had significant preventative effects against postoperative SSI (estimate: -0.245, standard error: 0.080, p <0.01). The surgical site, the ASA classification, and the operation time were also significant and independent clinical predictors of SSI. Conclusion: This study suggests that POM helps to prevent SSI in patients that undergo abdominal surgery.