Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, vol.38, no.4, pp.422-426, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: This study was performed to compare the effects of isotonic saline, hypertonic saline (buffered/nonbuffered), and lactated Ringer irrigation and distilled water nebulization on mucociliary clearance in ex vivo rats. Design: Experimental study. Setting: Tertiary otolaryngology care centre. Methods: Thirty rat tracheas were achieved from 15 rats by dividing the trachea longitudinally into two equal parts. Main Outcome Measures: Mucociliary transport velocity was measured by direct observation of particle placed on the lower end of the trachea after irrigation or nebulization. Results: Significant improvement in mucociliary clearance was found with isotonic saline (p = .002), buffered hypertonic saline (p = .018), lactated Ringer (p = .000), and nebulized distilled water (p = .000) when compared with nonbuffered hypertonic saline. Conclusion: Lactated Ringer solution is better than saline solution at enhancing mucociliary clearance, but nebulized distilled water is superior to the tested irrigation solutions in rat tracheal epithelium. © 2009 The Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.