[Combined local therapy in oropharyngeal diseases]

A pilot trial of efficacy of the drugs lisobact and stomatidin in local treatment of acute pharyngitis and combined therapy of tonsillitis and paratonsillar abscess included 82 patients with tonsillitis (n=30), paratonsillar abscess (n=30) and acute pharyngitis (n=22) aged 15-72 years. Effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by changes in clinical symptoms, pharyngoscopic picture and results of bacteriological studies. It was found that treatment with lisobact and stomatidin diminished considerably bacterial contamination of the paratonsillar abscess and pharyngeal mucosa. Local treatment with lisobact and stomatidin for paratonsillar abscess in combination with systemic antibacterial drug reduces the time of hospital stay, in tonsillitis patients - of disability. High compliance to lisobact and stomatidin treatment was observed.

[Efficacy of an antiseptic dialysis of purulent wounds in the dentofacial region with hyvalix]

The article presents data proving the possibility of using the solutions of "Hyvalix" medication for an antiseptic preparation of septic cavities after lancing of abscesses and phlegmons of dentofacial region. It was shown the efficacy of "Hyvalix" medication in comparison with traditional solutions of antiseptic means.

Clinical study on the effectiveness and side effects of hexetidine and chlorhexidine mouthrinses versus a negative control

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this clinical, controlled double-blind trial was to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of two different mouthrinses.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Ninety subjects with gingivitis (or slight periodontitis) were randomly allocated to three groups: group 1, Chlorhexamed (0.1% chlorhexidine); group 2, Hexoral (0.1% hexetidine); and group 3, a placebo-control compound. The subjects were instructed on how to use the mouthrinse. At baseline, as well as after 2 and 4 weeks, the Approximal Plaque Index (API), the Bleeding Index (BI), the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs, the Gingival Index (GI), and the Discoloration Index (DI), were measured. Statistical analysis was carried out with the Kruskal-Wallis test, Fisher's exact test, and Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS

In group 1, the mean API improved significantly (P < or = .001) after 4 weeks. The mean BI was reduced significantly, as was the GI. In group 2, the mean API and the mean BI both decreased significantly, and a statistically significant reduction of the GI was also seen. In group 3, significant improvements of the mean values of all parameters were documented after 4 weeks. When comparing group 3 with groups 1 and 2, the difference in the reduction of the API was statistically significant (P < .002). No statistical difference could be shown when comparing groups 1 and 2. Regarding the improved results of the BI and the GI, no statistically significant difference was found in the effectiveness of all 3 compounds. All 3 groups showed some increase in the mean DI after 4 weeks. Comparing groups 1 and 2 directly, the difference in the increase in the discoloration of the teeth was statistically significant (P = .0035). There was no statistical difference in the mean discoloration scores comparing groups 2 and 3.

CONCLUSION

This double-blind clinical trial demonstrated Hexoral to be a useful alternative to Chlorhexamed mouthrinse, as well as one causing less discoloration.

Antiplaque and antigingivitis effectiveness of a hexetidine mouthwash

OBJECTIVE

To assess the antiplaque/antigingivitis efficacy of a hexetidine-containing mouthwash.

METHODS

This examiner-blind, parallel group, controlled clinical study examined the effectiveness of a hexetidine (0.1%) mouthwash both in inhibiting the development of supragingival plaque and in reducing gingivitis. One hundred and thirty-four adult subjects completed the 2-week experimental gingivitis model study. Following baseline examinations, which included plaque index, modified gingival index and gingival bleeding index, subjects received a full dental prophylaxis. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three mouthwashes (hexetidine 0.1%, chlorhexidine 0.12% (positive control) or a 5% hydroalcohol negative control) and commenced three times daily supervised rinsing as their sole method of oral hygiene. All indices were rescored after 2 weeks.

RESULTS

Compared to the negative control group, the hexetidine group demonstrated a statistically significant inhibition and reduction of supragingival plaque and gingival inflammation with reductions of 6.3%, 33.5% and 56% for gingivitis, plaque and gingival bleeding, respectively. The results of the chlorhexidine group were used to validate the study.

CONCLUSION

The study confirms the efficacy of a hexetidine rinse in reducing supragingival plaque and gingival inflammation.

Prevention of nosocomial infection in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) through the use of selective digestive decontamination

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of selective digestive decontamination (SDD) on the control of nosocomial infection (NI) in critically ill pediatric patients.

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, non-blinded and controlled clinical microbiology study.

SETTING

The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary level pediatric university hospital. CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION: Patients 1 month to 14 years old, who underwent some kind of manipulation or instrumentation (mechanical ventilation, vascular cannulation, monitoring of intracranial pressure, thoracic or abdominal drainage, bladder catheterization, peritoneal dialysis, etc.) and/or presented a neurological coma requiring a stay in the PICU of 3 or more days.

PATIENTS

Over a period of 2 years, 244 patients met the inclusion criteria; 18 patients were withdrawn because of protocol violation. The treatment group comprised 116 patients and the control group, 110 patients.

INTERVENTION

The treatment group received a triple therapy of colimycin, tobramycin and nystatin administered orally or via nasogastric tube every 6 hours. All patients with mechanical ventilation or immune-depression received decontamination treatment of the oropharyngeal cavity with hexitidine (Oraldine 0.5 mg/ml) every 6-8 hours in accordance with the PICU's conventional protocol.

METHOD

Up to 10 types of nosocomial infection were diagnosed following criteria of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The severity and manipulation of the patients on admission was assessed using the therapeutic intervention scoring system (TISS) and multi-organ system failure scores (MOSF).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

UNIVARIANT ANALYSIS: SDD did not significantly reduce the incidence of NI, antibiotic use, the length of stay, or mortality; although a small percentage of respiratory and urinary tract infections was detected, catheter-related bacteremia was the most common infection. MULTIVARIANT ANALYSIS: Controlling the risk factors for each child through log regression showed that SDD acted as a protective factor for more than 90% of the sample with respect to the appearance of respiratory and urinary tract infections, reducing the risk of such infections to 1/5 and 1/3, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

SDD was effective in controlling respiratory and urinary tract infections in children admitted to the PICU, but it did not reduce the incidence of other types of nosocomial infection.

Protective effect of hexetidine against in vitro bacterial demineralisation of bovine enamel and dentin in the presence of fluoride

Bovine enamel and dentin specimens were overlaid with acidogenic Streptococcus mutans suspensions in agarose. In this model, the minimal demineralisation-inhibiting concentrations (MDIC) of hexetidine was determined in the presence of fluoride. A commercially available mouthwash containing 0.1% (2.9 mmol/l) hexetidine was diluted serially and added to the bacterial suspensions together with 0, 5.3, or 26.3 mumol/l fluoride (NaF). After 22 h of incubation at 37 degrees C the bacterial suspensions were removed and assessed for calcium and lactate. The results showed significant inhibitory effects of hexetidine on the demineralisation of the enamel specimens with a MDIC between 15 and 31 mumol/l hexetidine. In the presence of fluoride, approximately fourfold higher concentrations of hexetidine were needed for a significant additional protection of the enamel. No synergistic effect between hexetidine and fluoride was observed. For the demineralisation of the dentin specimens, the MDIC of hexetidine had a value between 31 and 61 mumol/l. At both these concentrations the dentin specimens were relatively less protected in the presence than in the absence of fluoride, and some synergistic effect between hexeditine and fluoride was observed.

The effect of hexetidine spray on dental plaque following periodontal surgery

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a 0.2% hexetidine spray, used as a supplement to regular oral hygiene measures, on dental plaque and gingival condition following periodontal surgery. This study was carried out on 38 patients who required 2 episodes of periodontal surgery. Examinations regarding dental plaque were performed at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, while the condition of the gingiva were examined at 0 and 28 days. Dental plaque was assessed by the Turesky modification of Quigley-Hein index; the gingival condition was evaluated using the gingival index of Löe-Silness and the papilla bleeding index. In a double-blind cross-over study of 28 days duration, significant reduction in plaque accumulation and an improvement in wound healing were demonstrated for the test spray compared to the placebo.

[Mouth care in intubated patients with nothing-by-mouth diet in an in tensive care unit]

The objective of this study is to value the effectiveness of a care plan of mouth care and at the same time, compare the effects of the use of two different solutions: physiologic serum and non-diluted hexetidine (Oraldine). The sample studied was formed by 40 intubated patients or patients with an absolute oral diet who were in the Intensive Care Unit of the University Clinic. 50% of the patients underwent oral hygiene with physiological serum, following the established protocol and the other 50% were treated with non-diluted hexetidine with a frequency of five times a day. The mouth status was checked at the moment of admission and then daily: lips, tongue, gums, palate, presence of residua and saliva characteristics. Also, a series of factors which could alter the buccal integrity were registered: oxygenotherapy, orotraqueal intubation, anemia, plaquetopenia, medicines, etc. Bacteriological controls of traqueal secretion were performed periodically. From the analysis of the results we can conclude that the care plan established is efficient, although it is not enough for patients with coagulation alterations (plaquetopenia). From the solutions used for oral hygiene we can say that although there have not been significant differences, the physiologic serum is the chosen product, as it maintains the mouth status better and helps to keep the oral microbiota.

An approach to efficacy screening of mouthrinses: studies on a group of French products (II). Inhibition of salivary bacteria and plaque in vivo

The aim of this study was to determine the value of screening studies to assess the efficacy of antiseptic mouthrinse products relative to proven products. The products tested were 6 antiseptic mouthrinses available in France. 4 contained chlorhexidine (Eludril, Hibident, Parodex and Prexidine) with Hibident considered the positive control. 1 product contained cetylpyridinium chloride (Alodont) and 1 hexetidine (Hextril). Saline was used as the negative control. The 1st study assessed the persistence of action of the products by recording salivary bacterial counts before and up to 7 h after single rinses. The 2nd study measured the inhibition of plaque regrowth, from a zero baseline, in the absence of tooth-brushing over a 4-day period. Both studies used blind randomised crossover designs balanced for residual effects. Salivary bacterial count reductions with time were highly significantly greater for Parodex to 5 h and Hibident and Prexidine to 7 h; There were no significant differences between the latter three chlorhexidine rinses except at 3 h, when decrements were significantly less with Parodex. Despite a mean trend in favour, Alodont, Eludril and Hextril were not significantly different from saline. Plaque inhibition by area and index was highly significantly different between products. Hibident, Parodex and Prexidine showed similar plaque inhibition and were significantly more effective than all other rinses. Eludril and Hextril were significantly more effective than saline but Alodont was not. Taken with the associated study in vitro and published reports on the same or similar products, it is apparent that efficacy of a product cannot be assumed merely because it contains a known active plaque inhibitor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hexetidine mouthrinse in the management of minor aphthous ulceration and as an adjunct to oral hygiene

A number of compounds have been used in the management of recurrent oral ulceration, including antimicrobials. This was a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study to assess the value of a 0.1% hexetidine mouthwash in the management of minor aphthous ulceration and as an adjunct to oral hygiene. Forty patients with a catalogued history of ulceration took part. Patients were randomly allocated to active/placebo or vice versa order of mouthwashes, which were used as 15 ml volumes three times a day. Treatment periods were 6 weeks with a 3 week washout. During each period patients kept daily records of the number, site, and duration of ulcers, together with pain scores. Plaque and gingivitis were scored at baseline and end of treatment periods. Thirty-eight patients completed the study, with no significant treatment differences between active and placebo rinses on any ulcer parameter. Additionally, the hexetidine rinse provided no significant benefit to oral hygiene or gingival health. However, there was a significant period effect, with considerable ulcer improvements during the second period, irrespective of treatment. In conclusion, the hexetidine rinse appeared to offer no benefits to these patients, but professional supervision of ulcer treatment does appear to result in a worthwhile placebo effect.

Comparison of the effect of toothpastes containing enzymes or antimicrobial compounds with a conventional fluoride toothpaste on the development of plaque and gingivitis

Many toothpastes have been formulated over recent years to contain antimicrobial compounds with the aim of preventing or reducing plaque, calculus, gingival inflammation or dental caries. For many, if not all of these toothpastes, it has yet to be proven whether they are significantly better at reducing plaque and gingivitis than conventional toothpastes, for which no such therapeutic effects have been claimed. This 12-day, incomplete block designed, cross-over study compared the development of plaque and gingivitis following rinsing with toothpaste slurries containing the following active ingredients: (1) hexetidine/zinc citrate, (2) 0.2% triclosan, (3) amyloglucosidase/glucose oxidase, (4) sodium fluoride/sodium monofluorophosphate (NaF, MFP). By the 8th day of the study, a significant difference in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and GI was found between the groups. By day 12, however, no significant difference in plaque index and gingival inflammation was found between the 4 toothpastes, although plaque area was significantly reduced with the hexetidine/zinc citrate paste when compared to the conventional fluoride paste. It was concluded that the active ingredients added to the toothpastes evaluated in this study provided little or no more additional benefit to oral hygiene and gingival health than could be achieved with a conventional fluoride toothpaste.

[Clinically controlled, integrated study on plaque inhibition with zinc-fluoride-hexetidin]

This study investigated the effect of Zinc-Fluorid-Hexetidin comparing with positive control group (Chlorhexidin) and negative control group (experimental gingivitis). The result demonstrated that a mouthrinse containing Zinc-Fluorid-Hexetidin prevented the development of plaque without complications.

The effect of interdental continuous loop wire splinting and intermaxillary fixation on the marginal gingiva

To study the influence of interdental loop-wire splinting and intermaxillary fixation on the marginal gingiva, 30 patients were evaluated clinically using different periodontal parameters, at 5 examination times. It was shown that despite a standardized oral hygiene regime including the use of a mouthrinse, gingival inflammation occurred for the duration of the splinting period. Factors other than the presence of limited plaque, such as gingival trauma due to splint application and subsequent mechanical irritation should be considered as possible aetiological factors. All investigated marginal gingival changes had totally reversed 2 weeks following loop-wire splint removal, apart from tooth mobility which did not re-attain pre-operative levels, the difference, however, being statistically insignificant.

The effect of a combination of copper and hexetidine on plaque formation and the amount of copper retained by dental plaque bacteria

Zn++ in combination with hexetidine exerts a synergistic plaque inhibition. Studies in our laboratory on the mechanism of this effect suggested that Cu++ and hexetidine may have a similar combination effect. This hypothesis was tested in vivo on a human test panel in a double-blind crossover study. The amount of Cu++ retained by plaque bacteria in vitro was also evaluated. Seven volunteers rinsed with the solutions for 1 min twice daily for 5 days. The test solutions were H2O, 1.0 mM CuSO4, 2.0 mM hexetidine, and the last two in combination. During the test period no oral hygiene was allowed, and sucrose-containing chewing gum was used to enhance plaque formation. The plaque index scores after rinsing with the combination were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than those of the other solutions. The effect of hexetidine on Cu++ retention in plaque bacteria was evaluated in plaque samples (n = 3) grown anaerobically overnight in PPLO medium. The bacteria were washed five times, digested in concentrated HNO3, and Cu++ determined by atomic absorption. The presence of hexetidine resulted in a significantly greater amount of Cu++ retained by bacteria at all CuSO4 concentrations. It is suggested that the nonpolar nature of the hexetidine molecule enables Cu++ bound to hexetidine to pass into the bacterial cell. Within the cell, Cu++ can interfere with bacterial metabolism, giving a reduction in plaque growth.

The effect on early plaque formation, gingivitis and salivary bacterial counts of mouthwashes containing hexetidine/zinc, aminefluoride/tin or chlorhexidine

This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of mouthwashes containing hexetidine/zinc (HZA) or tin (ASF) in inhibiting plaque formation and gingivitis in humans. 24 dental students and assistants participated in the study (latin square design) with 7-day test periods. They rinsed twice daily for 1 min with one of the following formulations: HZA = 750 ppm hexetidine/750 ppm zinc acetate, ASF = 100 ppm aminefluorid/310 ppm stannous fluoride, CHX = 0.1% chlorhexidine and M = negative control. Plaque accumulation was determined planimetrically and gravimetrically. Gingivitis was evaluated with the papillary bleeding index. Total colony forming units and S. mutans counts were estimated from saliva samples. The results showed that HZA and CHX almost completely inhibited plaque accumulation and gingivitis. ASF was less effective than HZA and CHX but still reduced plaque significantly compared to the negative control. Furthermore, CHX reduced salivary S. mutans counts.

[Therapy of acute diseases of the upper airway. Comparison of 2 antiseptic pharyngeal sprays in otorhinolaryngologic practice]

100 out-patients with subacute or acute stages of pharyngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngotonsillitis or angina participated in a randomized 3 day trial on antiseptic mouth-sprays comparing one containing a combination of chlorhexidine, tramazoline and aluminiumtrilactate with one containing only hexetidine. At the beginning of therapy and 3 days afterwards the local symptoms rubor and tumefaction of the throat, dysphagia, fur, swelling and tenderness of the cervical superficial lymph nodes were classified according to a graded scale. Using the combination these symptoms were markedly improved in 34 patients, improved in 7; 8 showed no alteration and one patient showed a deterioration (n = 50). With the monosubstance 18 patients showed good improvement, 11 an improvement, 17 no change and 3 patients a deterioration (n = 49), one patient needed penicillin-treatment during the trial. Under treatment with the combination the symptoms rubor and tumefaction of the throat showed a significant better improvement. The possible role played by a vasodilator are discussed.

[Use of hexetidine as an oral cavity antiseptic]

Of the many products recommended for topical use in the prevention and control of odontostomatological diseases, those containing hexetidine have proved to combine detergent properties with a true, specific activity. Reference is made to the abundant literature in an account of the composition, antibacterial spectrum, pharmacokinetics, mechanism and action time of this molecule. The conclusion is reached that, with proper support in the form of general drug management, hexetidine is effective in the treatment of odontostomatological and ORL sepsis.

The management of the oral complications of leukemia

Current management of the oral complications of leukemia has been reviewed by means of a questionnaire circulated to leukemia units in Great Britain. Oral manifestations of the disease appear to be common and symptoms severe despite advances in the general management of this group of diseases. It is confirmed that infection involving a wide variety of commensal organisms is an important problem, and it is suggested that improvements can be made in management, especially with the use of broad-spectrum antiseptic agents (for example, 0.2 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate which reduces the total number of organisms in the mouth by about 98 per cent.).

Influence of hexetidine upon plaque and gingivitis in the beagle dog

Two studies were performed in beagle dogs to determine the effect of 0.2% hexetidine upon plaque and gingivitis. In both instances, hexetidine exerted no significant effect while 0.2% chlorhexidine resulted in reductions in both plaque and gingivitis of about 45 and 50%, respectively.