Minimizing Pathologic Aspiration in Patients Undergoing Esophageal and Lung Resections for Cancer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to reduce pathologic aspiration and pneumonia in the perioperative period by providing an oral care and oral hygiene education to patients preoperatively. Patients enrolled in the study will be given a dysphagia screening questionnaire, an oral care package and oral hygiene education. Patients who screen positive for dysphagia will be referred to Speech Pathology for evaluation. The rate of postoperative pneumonia will be determined for those who participate in the study and will be compared to retrospective patient data from our institution.

Detailed Description
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Aspiration by high risk esophageal and lung cancer patients with either preexisting or post-therapy/post-operative dysphagia leads to morbidity (pneumonia) and mortality following surgery. The aim of this study is to reduce pathologic aspiration and pneumonia in the perioperative period by providing an oral care and oral hygiene education to patients preoperatively. Patients enrolled in the study will be given a dysphagia screening questionnaire, an oral care package and oral hygiene education. Patients who screen positive for dysphagia will be referred to Speech Pathology for evaluation. The rate of postoperative pneumonia will be determined for those who participate in the study and will be compared to retrospective patient data from our institution.

Official Title
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Minimizing Pathologic Aspiration in Patients Undergoing Esophageal and Lung Resections for Cancer

Conditions
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Esophageal Cancer, Lung Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Oral Hygiene Education and Oral Hygiene Packets


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients undergoing elective esophageal or lung resections for cancer at our institution Exclusion Criteria: None

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Preoperative dental hygiene education<br>Patients who are scheduled for elective esophageal or lung resections who consent to participate will undergo oral hygiene education and be given an oral hygiene packet. An oral hygiene assessment using the Plaque Assessment tool will be conducted in the clinic. A Dysphagia Screening Tool questionnaire will also be administered. Patients who screen positive for dysphagia will be referred to Speech Pathology for evaluation but for the study purposes, the only data collected from the evaluation will be whether or not the participant received this intervention. A repeat dental exam will occur on the day of surgery. Patients will be followed for 30 days post operatively. | Other: Oral Hygiene Education and Oral Hygiene Packets<br>* Patients will be educated on oral hygiene and will be given packets containing toothpaste, mouth rinse, floss and a toothbrush<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Proportion of pneumonia | Number of participants who develop postoperative pneumonia in the interventional arm compared to the number of patients retrospectively reviewed who received no intervention | 6 months |