Ex vivo tracheal mucociliary clearance in rats: comparisons of nebulization versus irrigation with lactated Ringer and saline solutions.

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.