Oral healthcare of the patient receiving chemotherapy and/or marrow transplant

Abstract

Between September 1992 and August 1995, all patients with haematological malignancies who were treated as in-patients in the Haematology Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital received a twice weekly, oral and perioral examination. Sixty patients were monitored while following the traditional hospital oral care protocol (chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate, thymol glycol, benzocaine mouthrinse and nystatin). The mouth care protocol was then changed (protocol A = chlorhexidine, benzocaine lozenges, amphotericin B lozenges) and patients monitored until the sample size matched that of the hospital mouth care regimen (n = 60). A further 60 patients were then monitored using a third protocol (protocol B = benzydamine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine, benzocaine lozenges, amphotericin B lozenges). A statistically significant reduction in oral complications was found upon introduction and maintenance of protocols A and B. The findings of this study suggest that improved oral care and a structured oral care routine reduces the number of oral complications associated with chemo- and radiotherapy.