Lung debris in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) contribute to deteriorate pulmonary function. Surfactant lavage, also with minimal quantity of diluted surfactant, is an effective method for treatment of severe MAS and seems to be useful also in course of RDS evolving to chronic lung disease (CLD), by improving lung mechanics. Authors report a clinical study in which tracheobronchial lavage with surfactant (15 ml/Kg of diluted porcine surfactant) improved significantly lung function in 3 patients with RDS in prolonged mechanical ventilation and in 2 patients with MAS.