Q: Reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) may arises after rapid re-expansion of a lung that has been collapsed, for at least how many days?


Answer: Three

Re-expansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is a well known but potentially life-threatening complication of chest tube insertion that usually arises after rapid pulmonary re-expansion that has been down or collapsed, for usually about three days - either due to air (pneumo) or fluid (pleural / hemo / hydro thorax).