[Therapy of secondary atelectasis by pulmonary lavage in full-term and premature infants (author's transl)].

Obstructive atelectasis can be successfully treated by means of pulmonary lavage. Atelectasis of this type may result from the formation of mucous plugs in the bronchi during or after prolonged artificial ventilation, after thoracic surgery and after vigorous suction. The pathophysiological alterations taking place during routine suction of an intubated and ventilated infant are discussed. The technique of pulmonary lavage with lukewarm physiological saline through an endotracheal tube is demonstrated in 2 newborn infants, in whom atelectasis occurred as a complication of long-term ventilation.