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✅   Perioperative Oral decontamination and ImmunoNuTrition (POINT) to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients scheduled for elective non-cardiac surgeries: protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

Health

Introduction Elderly patients are known to be vulnerable to postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), especially pneumonia. Apart from elder age, preoperative pulmonary diseases, anaemia, malnutrition, dysphagia and frailty may all be contributing factors to PPCs. Poor oral hygiene is a risk factor for PPC as well, as oropharyngeal microflora might be introduced to the lower respiratory tract following endotracheal intubation for general anaesthesia during surgery. Immune regulation, nutrition supplementation and improvement of oropharyngeal microflora might regulate immune and stress response and can be beneficial to elderly patients exposed to surgical stress. In this study, we will explore the effects of perioperative oral decontamination and immunonutrition supplementation on the incidence of postoperative pneumonia in high-risk elderly surgical patients.

BMJ     May 15, 2025