Our meta-analysis is the fi rst to include studies assessing povidone-iodine. Moreover, it includes five studies that have not been included in any previous meta-analysis.23–27 Previous meta-analyses assessing the eff ect of oral antiseptics on rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia37–40 had diff erent scopes. Chan and colleagues37 assessed, besides antiseptics, the eff ect of oral antibiotics on rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Chlebicki and Safdar,38 Kola and Gastmeier,39and Pineda and colleagues40 focused on oral care with chlorhexidine only. In conclusion, this meta-analysis provides strong evidence of the benefi cial eff ect of oral antiseptics in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia, especially in cardiosurgical patients and with use of 2% chlorhexidine.