Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema after Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is associated with a 10% chance of morbidity and a 0.03% mortality rate. We present a case of negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) in a healthy subject immediately following a laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. In this report, we will use the case to review the complications of NPPE and to illustrate its management. CASE DESCRIPTION: A healthy 19-y-old male presented at our institution as a living-related donor for left laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Following the surgery, the patient was reintubated and kept in the intensive care unit secondary to NPPE. The patient experienced an uneventful postoperative course and was subsequently discharged. DISCUSSION: Although a self-limiting phenomenon, mainstay NPPE therapy requires immediate re-establishment of the airway, adequate oxygenation, and application of positive airway pressure.