Oral microbes in patients using obturators after maxillary cancer surgery

What is it about?

This study looked at the microorganisms living in the mouths of patients who use obturator prostheses after surgery for maxillary cancer. We compared these patients with people wearing conventional removable dentures. Samples were collected from the oral tissues, prosthesis surfaces, and surgical sites to identify clinically relevant bacteria and fungi and assess their antimicrobial resistance. Patients with obturators were more frequently colonized by potentially harmful microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and yeast-like fungi. Candida albicans was common in both groups, while Candida tropicalis occurred more often in obturator users.

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Why is it important?

Patients using obturator prostheses after cancer treatment may be more vulnerable to colonization by opportunistic and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms than conventional denture users. Importantly, Staphylococcus aureus was more common in obturator patients regardless of whether they had received radiotherapy. These findings suggest that obturator users may benefit from particularly careful oral and prosthesis hygiene, regular clinical monitoring, and preventive strategies aimed at reducing microbial colonization and the risk of infection. The study also highlights the importance of considering antimicrobial resistance when caring for this group of patients.

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