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 infusion in newborn piglets for the study of neonatal physiotherapy.
Methods: newborn piglets derived from a cross between Large White and Landrace pigs were used. All animals were properly sedated, anesthetized, tracheostomized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated for the experiments. The animals received artificial mucus infusion of polyethylene oxide with a molecular weight of 5,000,000 (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) through an infusion pump (Model ST670T; Samtronic, Socorro, SP, Brazil) in the endotracheal tube, with the piglets in the right lateral position and head elevated to 30°. Radiological assessment of the lungs and blood gas analysis were performed to confirm the production of atelectasis.
Results: the model showed consistent results between oxygenation parameters and radiological findings. Ten of 13 animals responded to the intervention, which corresponds to 76.9% of the animals.This did not differ from the expected percentage of 50% by the binomial test (95% CI: 46.2 to 95, p = 0.09).
Conclusion: This study proposed an innovative model of atelectasis in newborn piglets, induced by artificial mucus infusion and confirmed by imaging 30 minutes after induction. We believe that the model is both feasible and appropriate to evaluate the impact of physical therapies on atelectasis in newborns.
Footnotes
- Dr. Renato Machado Fiori fiori{at}pucrs.brM, Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6690, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 90610-000
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest with any commercial or other associations in connection with the submitted article.
- Copyright © 2013 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
