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Objectives/HypothesisTo modify liquid viscosity is a common practice used in patients with dysphagia to avoid aspiration. Although accidentally aspirating small amount occurs frequently in patient‐care settings, the effect of aspirating a small amount thickened fluids on lungs is not clear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of xanthan gum‐thickened liquid aspiration on the lungs.MethodsICR mice were randomly divided into three experimental groups: saline, low thickened saline, and high thickened saline. To induce aspiration, we administered each reagent through a single intratracheal instillation at a dose of 0.3 ml kg−1 body weight. The mice were euthanized at specific time points (at 1, 3, and 7 days), and the respiratory clearance of the aspirated materials and the effects of the aspiration on lung tissue, physiological function, inflammatory responses, and alveolar capillary barrier permeability were evaluated.ResultsThe results showed that when thickened saline was aspirated, the aspirated material did not spontaneously resolve for at least a week in the lungs, though saline did. In addition, thickened saline aspiration caused short‐term inflammatory responses and a prolonged increase in alveolar capillary barrier permeability. The alterations of the alveolar capillary barrier permeability remained significantly elevated at day 7 in high thickened saline compared with saline. There were no significant differences in the physiological and histological findings between the aspiration of saline and thickened saline.ConclusionsThese results suggest that xanthan gum‐thickened liquid aspiration can extend the duration of lung injury.

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