What is the effectiveness of topical antibiotic regimens (selective digestive decontamination and selective oropharyngeal decontamination) plus systemic prophylaxis in preventing mortality and respiratory infections in adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours in intensive care units?
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined as a lower respiratory tract infection that occurs in patients who receive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. It is one of the most common types of respiratory tract infections in adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation.1,2 The prevalence of VAP ranges from 5% to 40%, depending on the context and diagnostic criteria.1 Outcomes of VAP include increased mortality, hospital length of stay, costs, and stress for patients, families, and hospital staff members.1 Even with advances in diagnosing and managing VAP, global mortality rates have been reported to range from 20% to 75%, with the rate in the United States estimated...