Experimental research of thoracic lavage for the treatment of open chest injury coupled with seawater immersion

Abstract

Objective To explore therapeutic effects of thoracic lavage for the treatment of open chest injury coupled with seawater immersion in dogs.Methods Adult mongrel dogs were randomly divided into the experimental group (the thoracic lavage group) and the control group (the routine treatment group),each consisting of 10 dogs.The animal model of open chest injury coupled with seawater immersion was developed in the laboratory.The control group received routine medical treatment,while the experimental group was administered with thoracic lavage in addition to routine medical treatment.Pathological changes in the internal environment and pulmonary tissues of the animals in the 2 groups were observed.Results One hour after injury,serum sodium of the control group was ( 157.80 ± 3.70 ) mmol/L,and that of the experimental group was (146.25 ±4.14) mmol/L (P＜0.05).Osmotic pressure of the control group was (345.46 ±6.18)mmol/L,and that of the experimental group was ( 320.53 ± 6.91 ) mmol/L ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Eight hours after injury,serum sodium of the control group was( 146.80 ± 2.87 ) mmol/L,and that of the experimental group was ( 138.5 ±3.21 ) mmol/L (P＜0.05).Osmotic pressure of the control group was (331.42 ±4.68) mmol/L,and that of the experimental group was ( 312.24 ± 5.23 ) mmol/L ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Following development of open chest injury coupled with seawater immersion,serum sodium and plasma osmotic pressure of both groups increased significantly.After treatment,serum sodium and plasma osmotic pressure of both groups all decreased,with the indices of the experimental group decreased more significantly.There were less pathological changes in the pulmonary tissue of the experimental group,when compared with the control group.Conclusions Thoracic lavage was effective for the treatment of open chest injury coupled with seawater immersion. Key words: Open chest injury; Injury induced by seawater immersion; thoracic lavage; Plasma osmotic pressure