[Pulmonary edema following laryngospasm in a child]

Abstract

A case is reported of a pulmonary oedema secondary to a laryngospasm in a 10-year-old child during a scheduled orchidopexy. Anaesthesia was induced with 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen and halothane via a face mask. Pulmonary oedema occurred before the relief of the laryngospasm and its course was uneventful after tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation with PEEP. Hydrostatic forces or an increased capillary permeability are likely causes of the oedema. The outcome is usually favourable.