Light and electron microscopic studies of rabbit lungs in fresh water drowning and near-drowning

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate the light and electron microscopic changes which occur in the lung of the rabbit in case of drowning and near-drowning. Thirty male healthy adult rabbits were used in this work. They were divided into three equal groups. The first group was used as a control group. The second group was anesthetized and endotracheal tube was introduced and 6 ml/kg of fresh water was instilled into the endotracheal tube. The animals were sacrificed after 29 minutes. The third group was also anesthetized and intubated, and fresh water was instilled into the endotracheal tube. Specimens from the lungs of the three groups were taken and processed for both light and electron microscopic processes. The results showed mainly vascular damage in near-drowning and marked alveolar cell damage in case of drowning