Refining the method of therapeutic lung lavage in meconium aspiration syndrome

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic lung lavage is an emerging treatment for meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), but the ideal fluid volume and lavage technique remain unclear. Objective: To evaluate the impact of suction technique, chest squeeze and aliquot volume on the efficacy of lung lavage in MAS. Methods: MAS was induced in ventilated 2-week-old piglets using 4 ml/kg of 20% human meconium. Lung lavage with either two 8 ml/kg saline aliquots (n = 5) or a single 15 ml/kg aliquot (n = 6) was performed soon after meconium instillation. Lavage fluid was recovered by three methods performed in sequence: closed suction via a suction adaptor; open suction with the ventilator disconnected, and open suctio..