Advances in the treatment of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Our currecnt technique for lung lavage is described. This technique can be safely and effectively applied to patients with pulmonary alvelar proteinosis who require therapy. Normal saline alone is as effective a solution as one containing heparin and acetylcysteine. Chest percussion during lung lavage considerably enhances the yeild of each lavage and thus shortens the time required for the procedure. Lung lavage results in remarkable clearing of the chest roentgenogram and reversal of the physiologic defects and symptoms of the patient by the following day. In our experience this improvement lasts for at least one year.