[Management of severe pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: how to perform whole-lung lavage safely].

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is an uncommon respiratory disorder which is characterised by an intraalveolar accumulation of lipoproteins. A 35-year-old patient (smoker and THC consumption) presented with a PAP and severe respiratory (type I) failure. In addition, the patient had pleuropneumonia. Repeated whole-lung lavage (WLL) is the treatment of choice. The procedure is presented in detail. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.