Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are few studies using animal models in chest physical therapy. However, there are no models to assess these effects in newborns. This study aimed to develop a model of obstructive atelectasis induced by artificial mucus injection in the lungs of newborn piglets, for the study of neonatal physiotherapy.
METHODS: Thirteen newborn piglets received artificial mucus injection via the endotracheal tube. X-rays and blood gas analysis confirmed the atelectasis.
RESULTS: The model showed consistent results between oxygenation parameters and radiological findings. Ten (76.9%) of the 13 piglets responded to the intervention. This did not significantly differ from the expected percentage of 50% by the binomial test (95% CI 46.2–95%, P = .09).
CONCLUSIONS: Our model of atelectasis in newborn piglets is both feasible and appropriate to evaluate the impact of physical therapies on atelectasis in newborns.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Renato Machado Fiori PhD, Postgraduate Program in Medicine–Pediatrics and Child Health, Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90610-000 Brazil. E-mail: fiori{at}pucrs.br.
The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
Dr Comaru presented a version of this paper at the European Respiratory Society Congress 2012, held September 1–5, 2012, in Vienna, Austria.
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