Unilateral pulmonary oedema/atelectasis in the lateral decubitus position.
An obese male patient developed hypoxia, hyercarbia and radiological signs of pulmonary oedema/atelectasis in the dependent lung after surgery in the lateral decubitus position. This appears to have been due to ventilation-perfusion mismatch, although other factors were considered. The patient recovered following 36 hours of intermittent positive pressure ventilation of the lungs.
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011187:Posture; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio