[Intensive care problems in congenital polycystic lung abnormality].

The development of bilateral tension cysts in a 6-month-old child suffering from inborn honeycomb lung resulted in acute cardiorespiratory insufficiency. First of all, we succeeded in controlling the recurrent rises in intrathoracic pressure by puncturing and chest draining performed by suction and by the Bülau method. The child thus became fit to be operated on. The right lower lobe, and, 7 days later, the left upper lobe, were resected and multiple single cysts excised from both residual lungs. The postoperative course of the disease was not free from complications, but five years of follow-up showed that the child's general development had become normal. Possibilities of treatment of pulmonary insufficiency, a typical symptom of polycystic lung malformation, are discussed, and the necessity for an early operation is emphasised.