Anesthetic management of broncho- alveolar lavage in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: A case report

Abstract

: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a very rare, life threatening, noninflammatory, diffuse lung disorder characterized by dense accumulation of lipo-proteinaceous material within the alveoli causing hypoxemia, restrictive lung disease leading to respiratory failure. Whole lung lavage (WLL) is considered as the treatment of choice which includes infusing warm saline in the lungs and draining it out with the lipo-porteinaceous materials thereby clearing the obstruction. WLL requires good team co-ordination between the anaesthesiologists, pulmonologists and physiotherapists. The procedural course is challenging in many aspects like hypoxaemia and hemodynamic fluctuations. Post procedure short term mechanical ventilation is commonly required.: A 45 year old female, diagnosed case of PAP presented with dyspnea at rest with increasing oxygen requirement. After clinical examination and investigations, due to severity of the disease, broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) of left lung was planned with subsequent right lung BAL after few days. During the procedure, desaturation upto 78% was noted. With meticulous corrective measures, saturation picked up and the procedure was completed uneventfully. Post-operatively patient was mechanically ventilated and extubated after 32 hours.: WLL is the treatment of choice for PAP which involves multidisciplinary approach with mulitple challenges. Pre-oxygenation, adequate lung isolation with left sided double lumen tube (DLT), one lung ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), vigilant intra-operative monitoring, cautious use of positional manoeuvres and recruitment manoeuvres with a good teamwork is the key for successful outcome.