[Surfactant in lung preservation with delayed experimental autotransplantation].

The authors examined the surfactant in canine lungs at autotransplantation by assessing the alveolar stability values after preparation according to the method of Pattle. Moreover, microscopic and ultrastructural examinations were performed. The stability value of the normal lung was found to be 0.84 +/- 0.031. No essential change occurred after immediate lung transplantation and at delayed autotransplantation with preservation up to 24 hours. Alveolar stability values were not lowered after lung preservation up to 2, resp. 24, hours at +4 degrees C. The acute dystelectasis by preservation for 2 or 24 hours had no effect on the surfactant. At longer preservation (48, 72, or 96 hours) the stability values of the alveoles decreased, suggesting a decrease of surfactant. Electron microscopy revealed decreased density of osmiophilic bodies 24 hours after lung preservation.