[Selective decontamination in the ICU: benefit of the doubt].

Since its introduction in 1984, selective decontamination of the digestive tract has had clear supporters and opponents. De Smet et al. conducted a large national study in 13 Dutch intensive care units, investigating the effects of the following 3 regimens on mortality: standard treatment, selective decontamination of the digestive tract and selective oropharyngeal decontamination. The results showed decontamination to have a clear benefit in terms of reducing mortality. Based on these results, decontamination should be used in all intensive care patients.