[Report on an emergency of alveolar leakage following lung decortication (author's transl)]

A case of respiratory distress is reported following lung decortication. Of a 331/min applied respiratory volume 90% was lost due to the multiple alveolar leakage. The lung could be inflated only when the chest was closed and several Bülau drains with powerful suckers were inserted. When the lung surface came in contact with the chest wall, the lossof tidal volume could immediately be reduced and respiration was possible again.