[Atelectasis - bronchoscopy and unilateral ventilation].

Atelectasis in the postsurgical patient or patients on artificial ventilation problems is a frequently occurring complication. Bronchoscopy, local secretion removal by suction, lavage and vigorous positive pressure ventilation in many cases fail to re-expand the collapsed lung. Intubation after bronchoscopy by a double lumen tube permits systematic overinflation of the collapsed lung whereas the other lung is open to atmospheric pressure. In this manner the opening pressure of the collapsed lung can be overcome without overdistension of the other lung. The result is a marked improvement of oxygenation by reducing the venous admixture in lung.