@entity9737 has long been known as a safe, low-cost procedure. However, with the advent of bronchoscopy, it has largely been forgotten. Two researchers have suggested the use of a-amylase activity to diagnose salivary aspiration, but the normal values of this enzyme in tracheobronchial secretions are unknown. We aimed to define the normal values of a-amylase activity in tracheobronchial secretions and verify the rate of major complications of transtracheal puncture. From October 2009 to June 2011, we prospectively evaluated 118 @entity1 without clinical or radiological signs of salivary aspiration who underwent transtracheal puncture before bronchoscopy. The @entity1 were sedated with a solution of @entity3303 and @entity3175 until they reached a Ramsay sedation score of 2 or 3. We then cleaned the cervical region and anesthetized the superficial planes with @entity3303 . Next, we injected 10 mL of 2% @entity3303 into the tracheobronchial tree. Finally, we injected 10 mL of normal saline into the tracheobronchial tree and immediately aspirated the saline with maximum vacuum pressure to collect samples for measurement of the a-amylase level. The a-amylase level mean    SE, median, and range were 1914    240, 1056, and 24-10,000 IU/L, respectively. No major complications (peripheral desaturation, @entity9285 , @entity943 , or hemoptysis) occurred among 118 @entity1 who underwent this procedure. Transtracheal aspiration is a safe, low-cost procedure. We herein define for the first time the normal a-amylase levels in the tracheobronchial secretions of @entity1 .

XXXX : a forgotten procedure.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['humans', 'patients'] @entity3175 :: ('MESH:D003975', 'Chemical') :: ['diazepam'] @entity9285 :: ('MESH:D013352', 'Disease') :: ['subcutaneous emphysema'] @entity3303 :: ('MESH:D008012', 'Chemical') :: ['lidocaine'] @entity943 :: ('MESH:D001145', 'Disease') :: ['cardiac arrhythmia'] @entity9737 :: ('MESH:D051299', 'Disease') :: ['Transtracheal puncture']
@entity9737 :: (MESH:D051299,Disease) :: ['Transtracheal puncture']
