AMYLASE ACTIVITY IN TRACHEOBRONCHIAL SECRETIONS OF LARYNGECTOMIZED PATIENTS

The alpha-amylase activity in tracheobronchial secretions of 16 consec utive patients with a total laryngectomy was studied. None of these pa tients had a tracheopharyngeal fistula or pulmonary disorder which mig ht affect the amylase activity. This study proves the presence of amyl ase in tracheobronchial secretions of laryngectomized patients with a normal lung at a level between x and y and the quantitative analysis o f the amylase activity is discussed. The relevance of investigating la ryngectomy patients is because of the nature of the surgery the lower respiratory tract is permanently and physically isolated from any othe r source of salivary amylase. No similar study of the analysis of amyl ase in normal lung tissue had been reported before. This information m ay be of value in order to detect salivary aspiration in patients with a tracheostomy or endotracheal intubation if the level in the aspirat e is in the order of a-b times greater than that found in normal trach eobronchial secretions. (x = 35 and y = 1125 i.u./l; a = 31.8 and b = 628.6 i.u./l).