Reexpansion pulmonary edema after surgery to repair a diaphragmatic hernia in a cat.

Fulminant pulmonary edema developed after rapid lung reexpansion following diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy in a cat. Despite medical treatment, the cat died. Pulmonary edema is a potential complication of lung reexpansion achieved by negative intrathoracic pressure or positive-pressure ventilation. Slow expansion of a collapsed lung over a 12-hour period may help prevent this devastating complication.