The management of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to near-drowning: A case report

Remaining under water causes serious morbidity and mortality. Drowning is a case of asphyxia caused by obstruction of airways due to fluid aspiration into lungs and/or laryngospasm within 24 hours after remaining under water resulting in death. Semi- drowning, however can result in death, partial or complete recovery. Even if little amount of water has been aspirated, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and damage of lungs due to hypoxia and anoxia occurs. In this study we wanted to discus a case that had fallen down from a height and remained under water unconscious which developed acute respiratory distress syndrome after 8 to 10 hours. The case had been brought to a small town hospital. Although he had shortness of breath he wanted to be discharged by himself. At home he had become worse, and aspirated his vomitus. Afterwards, he was taken to our emergency room as acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, despite of all treatments he was lost.