Early high volume lung lavage helps dogs with severe smoke inhalation

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and short‑term results of early high volume lung lavage in the treatment of acute severe smoke inhalation injuries in dogs. A high‑volume normal saline complex solution lavage in the left lung was performed 1 h subsequent to bilateral pulmonary acute severe sawdust smoke inhalation injury in dogs. Lavage of the right lung was conducted following an interval of 30 min or 4 h. The perfluorodecalin lavage was performed in dogs with unilateral pulmonary acute severe sawdust smoke inhalation injury. The present study identified that lavage with an interval of 4 h between two lungs was safer compared with a 30‑min interval. Following lavage, the increase in the levels of free radical metabolites and inflammatory mediators in the lung homogenate was reduced. Acute severe smoke inhalation injury in one lung evidently caused a secondary injury to the other lung in the dogs. Perfluorodecalin lavage did not achieve the same effect in cleansing the lungs as the normal saline, but a greater comprehensive short‑term outcome was obtained. These observations demonstrated that early high‑volume lung lavage following severe smoke inhalation injury could relieve primary injuries and secondary local and general inflammatory reactions in dogs. An improved comprehensive short‑term outcome was obtained in the perfluorodecalin‑lavaged dogs.