Pulmonary Surfactant

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Lung extracts prepared from sequential lung biopsies secured from patients undergoing thoracotomy were studied for the effect of diethyl ether or halothane on surface activity of the alveolar lining substance. Five patients were in each group. Lung biopsies were taken before and after administration of the anesthetic and extracts prepared. Maximal and minimal surface tension measurements and calculated stability indices from each paired experiment demonstrated that administration of these inhalation anesthetics had no appreciable effect on pulmonary surfactant under the conditions of this investigation.