An improved method for fixation of the respiratory epithelial surface with the mucous and surfactant layers

A new technique for the stabilization of the mucous layers in the upper respiratory tree is described. The methodology combines perfusion of the thoracic vasculature through the carotid, thyroid, and bronchial arteries, with aerosolization of fixative onto the airway surface through a tracheostomy. The biphasic nature of the mucous layer in healthy animals is confirmed and is compared with the nature of the mucus in animals exposed to cigarette smoke. The fundamental advantage of the technique is that, because airway surface phenomena are stabilized, more thorough correlates of physiology and morphology can be accomplished. The intrapulmonary airways and parenchyma are also fixed by using this technique, and the results are discussed. A preliminary communication using this technique to document leukocyte transit across the respiratory mucosa has been published.