[Phospholipids of pulmonary surfactants and lung elasticity]

We discuss the various preparations of substitute pulmonary surfactant that have been proposed for the treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in premature infants. We than submit some experimental results demonstrating that a preparation of phospholipids in an organic solvent can simulate the behavior of the naturally occurring pulmonary surfactant as a monolayer at an air-water interface.