[Unilateral pulmonary oedema after re-expansion (author's transl)]

The authors report three cases of unilateral pulmonary oedema following the re-expansion of a spontaneous pneumothorax. The importance of the duration of the pneumothorax and the use of too negative pressure while re-expanding the lung were both underlined. The different physiopathological hypotheses responsible for the appearance of pulmonary oedema were discussed, notably altered mechanical properties of the lung and alveolar-capillary permeability. The numerous precautions to take to avoid the appearance of oedema, as well as the therapeutic measures to adopt for severe pulmonary oedema were reviewed.