Balloon catheter re-expansion of atelectatic lung.

Selective re-inflation of the lung with lobar atelectasis was carried out in four patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation. The increased pressure and volume were delivered mainly to the atelectatic lung by momentary obstruction of mainstem bronchus of the uninvolved lung with a balloon-tipped catheter. Blood gases and chest x-rays following the procedure showed improvement in oxygenation with prompt re-expansion of the atelectatic lung. The described procedure is recommended in atelectasis involving major portions of the lung with severe hypoxemia not responding to aggressive conventional treatment.