Effects of Surfactant Replacement on Irregular Overdistension of Meconium-Injured Lungs in Rats

Overdistension of the lungs is a cause of ventilator-induced lung injury. In meconium aspiration syndrome, irregular overdistension of the lungs often occurs.We investigated whether surfactant replacement could restore the terminal airspaces in the lungs that had been distended after meconium aspiration.Meconium aspiration was induced by injecting meconium (50 mg x kg(-1)) into the airways of adult rats anesthetized with pentobarbital and...