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Effects of Topical Oral Antiseptic Rinses on Bacterial Counts of Saliva in Healthy Human Subjects

Wound infections remain a significant source of morbidity in patients undergoing major head and neck operations that invade the aerodigestive tract. Infection rates have been significantly reduced by the administration of perioperative intravenous antibiotics; however, the incidence of infection remains unacceptably high. This study was undertaken to help identify an oral antiseptic that could significantly reduce the bacterial colony count of human saliva. A randomized, prospective clinical trial was conducted to analyze and compare the effects of Listerine antiseptic and Peridex oral rinse on the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts in healthy human subjects. Thirty healthy adult volunteers between the ages of 18 and 61 participated in the study. The patients were randomized to receive normal saline solution, Listerine antiseptic, or Peridex oral rinse. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial colony counts of saliva were measured before treatment and at 1 and 4 hours after treatment. Both Listerine antiseptic and Peridex oral rinse significantly reduced bacterial counts at 1 hour after treatment in our volunteers. At 4 hours after treatment, Peridex oral rinse showed a further reduction in the bacterial colony count whereas Listerine antiseptic showed no difference compared with normal saline solution. At 4 hours after treatment, Peridex oral rinse reduced the total bacterial colony count by 85%. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:625–9.)