pulmonary toilet

English

Noun

pulmonary toilet (usually uncountable, plural pulmonary toilets)

1. (medicine) The cleaning of secretions from the airways of a person (as part of pulmonary hygiene).
   • 1999, Medical management of pulmonary diseases →ISBN[1], edited by Gerald S. Davis, Elizabeth A. Seward, and Theodore W. Marcy, page 424:

     Is the patient alert enough to protect his or her airway and participate in pulmonary toilet? Does the patient have a cough effective enough to clear secretions. and are the secretions neither copious nor tenacious?

   • 2002, Pulmonary biology in health and disease →ISBN[2], edited by E. Edward Bittar, page 358:

     Finally, perfluorocarbon may aid in pulmonary toilet and decrease infection rates.

   • 2010, The Surgical Review: An Integrated Basic and Clinical Science Study Guide[3], edited by Paige M. Porrett, John R. Frederick, Robert E. Roses, and Larry R. Kaiser:

     Adequate analgesia is paramount and allows aggressive pulmonary toilet and early mobilization.

   • 2011, Penetrating Trauma: A Practical Guide on Operative Technique and Peri-Operative Management →ISBN[4], edited by George C. Velmahos, Elias Degiannis, and Dietrich Doll, page 490:

     Excellent pulmonary toilet is the cornerstone of care for the inhalational injury; […]

Usage notes

• The plural is very rare and is possibly only ever used in error.