Double lumen tube proves more effective for whole lung lavage in young patients with PAP

Whole lung lavage (WLL) is a feasible and effective treatment for pediatric patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), according to a study. However, the use of double lumen tube (DLT) techniques is recommended over single lumen tube (SLT) techniques due to its superior efficiency and shorter procedure times. This approach should be adopted early in treatment to improve patient outcomes.

The study analyzed data from 57 WLL procedures performed over a decade on 6 pediatric patients. The technical aspects, procedure duration, and adverse events associated with SLT and DLT techniques were compared.

Findings revealed that SLT-based WLL in younger children resulted in longer procedure times and extended post-procedural intensive care, despite similar rates of adverse events compared to DLT-based WLL. DLT-based procedures proved to be more efficient in terms of intervention duration and recovery.

Reference
Nickel K, Schütz K, Carlens J, et al. Ten-year experience of whole lung lavage in pediatric Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis. Klin Padiatr. 2024;236(2):64-72. doi: 10.1055/a-2194-3467. Epub 2024 Jan 23. PMID: 38262422; PMCID: PMC10883753.