Contralateral pulmonary edema following surgical repair of a ruptured hemidiaphragm

A 24-year-old man underwent surgical correction of a ruptured hemidiaphragm via left thoracotomy and laparotomy. During the procedure, he developed contralateral pulmonary edema that completely resolved after four days of mechanical ventilatory support. Instantaneous unilateral pulmonary edema should be considered in young patients with thoracic compliance abnormalities. 2006 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.