[Large-volume whole lung lavage in the treatment of severe pulmonary alveolar proteinosis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of large-volume whole lung lavage in the treatment of severe pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP).


METHODS
Five severe PAP patients underwent large-volume whole lung lavage under general anaesthesia using a double lumen endotracheal tube. Suction was used for returning fluid. The volume of lavage and return volume and the return rate were calculated. The efficacy was evaluated according to the improvement of symptoms, amelioration of chest radiograph or chest CT scan and the changes of pulmonary function and artery blood gas analysis.


RESULTS
After lavage, the symptoms, pulmonary function and artery blood gas were markedly improved, and the chest radiographs showed dissipation of lung consolidation. No severe complications were observed in the 5 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Large-volume whole lung lavage is an effective and safe therapeutic method in the treatment of PAP.
Wen
Sheng-Lan
SL
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir RunRun SHAW Hospital, Affiliated to Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
Wu
Xiao-Hong
XH
Ying
Ke-Jing
KJ
Zhou
Pan
P
Hong
Wu-Jun
WJ
D000328:Adult; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011649:Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome