[Negative pressure pulmonary oedema and haemorrhage].

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary haemorrhage due to negative airway pressure is a very rare but potentially fatal complication of general anaesthesia. Only a few such cases have been reported in the literature.

CASE REPORT: A previously healthy, 25-year-old man underwent general anaesthesia for internal stabilisation of a fractured clavicle. Shortly after extubation, he developed laryngospasm followed by pulmonary bleeding and acute respiratory failure. A CT-scan revealed acute pulmonary oedema. The patient was treated with mechanical ventilation and recovered completely after 72 hours.

CONCLUSION: This rare complication may occur unexpectedly during routine anaesthesia. The rapid recognition and management of laryngospasm is essential.