Effect of Preoperative Periodontal Treatment on Postoperative Infection and Mortality After Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery

Effect of Preoperative Periodontal Treatment on Postoperative Infection and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery: A Retrospective Study

This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative periodontal treatment on postoperative infection and mortality in patients undergoing aortic and mitral valve surgery.

Patient records between 2015 and 2024 analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and and radiographic findings, evaluated. Postoperative outcomes such as infection, antibiotic use, length of hospital and intensive care unit stay, and mortality assessed.

The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the role of periodontal health in improving postoperative outcomes in cardiac surgery patients.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has been associated with various systemic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and infective endocarditis. Oral pathogens and inflammatory mediators originating from periodontal tissues may enter the bloodstream and contribute to systemic inflammation and postoperative complications.

This retrospective observational study includes patients aged 18 years and older who underwent aortic and mitral valve surgery and received or not periodontal treatment within 15 days prior to surgery. Patient records from 2015 to 2024 has been reviewed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria has been applied to ensure data consistency and reliability.

Collected data included demographic characteristics, medical history, periodontal disease stages, DMFT scores, and radiographic findings. Postoperative variables such as infection status, antibiotic use, duration of hospitalization, intensive care unit stay, and mortality has been evaluated.

Statistical analyses performed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests. Multivariate regression models used to identify factors associated with postoperative infection and mortality.

The aim of this study is to determine whether preoperative periodontal treatment has a significant impact on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent cardiac valve surgery
• Availability of preoperative panoramic radiographs
• Complete medical and dental records, including DMFT index and systemic clinical parameters
• Patients with documented postoperative clinical follow-up data

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients under 18 years of age
• Patients with incomplete or missing medical or radiographic records
• Patients with a history of systemic conditions severely affecting bone metabolism (e.g., advanced malignancy, metabolic bone disease)
• Patients who received recent periodontal treatment prior to radiographic assessment
• Poor-quality radiographs that do not allow accurate evaluation