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11 Liters Saline Used to Save Woman's Lungs
22 Apr
Summary
- A 34-year-old woman underwent a rare whole lung lavage procedure.
- Doctors used 11 liters of saline to wash her lungs clean.
- The patient is now breathing without oxygen support after surgery.
In a remarkable medical feat, doctors at NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata successfully treated a 34-year-old woman suffering from Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis, a rare disorder affecting the lungs' air sacs. The patient, who had been experiencing breathlessness and a dry cough for a year, presented with critically low oxygen saturation upon admission.
Diagnostic imaging revealed a distinctive "crazy paving" pattern, and tests confirmed the accumulation of proteinaceous material within her lungs. Given the limited efficacy of medications for this condition, a Whole Lung Lavage (WLL) was performed. This intricate procedure involved isolating one lung and thoroughly washing it with 11 liters of warm saline to remove the abnormal deposits.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists, including chest medicine, cardiothoracic anaesthesia, and surgery, collaborated for the successful operation. The patient is now recovering well and breathing without the need for oxygen support.
