Background: The aim of this study was to detect the risk of bacteremia from nasotracheal intubation in children undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia.
Methods: Two 10 ml blood samples were taken, the first as a baseline and the second within 30 s following the nasotracheal intubation. The samples were inoculated into 5 ml aerobic and 5 ml anaerobic blood culture bottles. Following incubation in an automated blood culture system, bacteria were identified by using conventional biochemical methods and commercial identification systems. Mc Nemar's test was used to assess the findings statistically.
Results: Of 74 patients only nine (12.3%) had positive blood cultures after the intubation and seven of these had been intubated without trauma. The incidence of bacteremia was significantly higher after atraumatic intubation (7/9) compared with traumatic intubation (2/9) (P < 0.05). The most common bacteria in positive cultures were Streptococcus viridans, four of 74 (5.4%).
Conclusions: Since the occurrence of bacteremia after nasotracheal intubation is hazardous for patients at risk for developing infective endocarditis, to prevent further complications prophylactic antibiotic treatment is recommended.