Influence of volume and head position on upper airways clearance during nasal irrigation in infants : an in vitro study.

Details

Supervisors

Cnockaert, Pierre ; Poncin, William

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master [60] en kinésithérapie et réadaptation

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of irrigation volume and head position on upper airways clearance in infants using a 3D printed upper airways model of an infant. Methods: We tested the influence of the following variables on the clearance of the head model, prefilled with artificial mucus: the type of irrigation (unilateral or bilateral), the volume of irrigation per nostril (5, 10, 15 or 20 mL), the position of the head (lateral decubitus or sitting position) and the irrigation nostril (supra- or infra-lateral). Results: Bilateral nasal irrigation was more effective than unilateral irrigation, regardless of the position and volume used (p=0.003) and in the lateral decubitus position(p=0.012). The use of a volume of 20 mL per nostril resulted in better clearance than 5, 10 and 15 mL per nostril (p=0.028, p=0.028, p=0.046, respectively). Discussion: Most of the tasks performed during the experiments were executed manually, which is close to clinical practice. The model used, although geometrically validated, doesn’t reproduce the dynamic conditions of in vivo upper airways. The criteria chosen for clearance efficiency may not be representative of in vivo conditions. Conclusion: This study showed the benefits of bilateral irrigation and of a volume of 20 mL per nostril compared with lower volumes during nasal irrigation in infants. Further research is needed to better understand the influence of head position during nasal irrigation in infants.