Comparison of Oral Care Solutions on Oral Microbial Colonization in Neurosurgical ICU Patients

In the high-stakes environment of the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit (NSICU), patient stability extends beyond neurological monitors and intracranial pressure readings. A critical yet often underemphasized front line of defense is oral health. Neurosurgery patients, frequently intubated, on mechanical ventilation, or with depressed consciousness, are at extreme risk for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) and systemic infections. Pathogenic oral microbiota can be aspirated into the lower respiratory tract, triggering such complications. Consequently, rigorous oral care is not merely a comfort measure but a vital infection control protocol. This article examines and compares the effects of three agents-Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG), Sodium Bicarbonate, and Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)-on oral microbial colonization in this vulnerable population.