Title: Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema (REPE) an Uncommon but Important Complication of Thoracocentasis: Case Report

Authors: Dr Sanjay Fotedar, Dr Satpal, Dr Surender Kumar, Dr Devender Yadav, Dr Homdutt

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v9i3.19

Abstract

Re-expansion Pulmonary Edema (REPE) is rare complication that occurs mainly after tube thoracostomy in pneumothorax and  thoracocentesis in large pleural effusion  is attributed to rapid pressure changes in the pleural cavity and free radical injury to the pulmonary vasculature. Usually REPE seen in cases of extensive pneumothorax and large pleural effusion with lung atelectasis of long duration. Authors repot a case of re-expansion pulmonary edema following chest tube insertion in a case of iatrogenic pneumothorax.

Keywords: Pneumothorax, thoracocetasis, reexpansion pulmonary edema (REPE)

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Corresponding Author

Dr Devender Yadav

Post Graduate Resident, Department of Medicine, Pt. BDS PGIMS Rohtak India 124001