Empyema thoracis: a rare presentation

We present a case of spontaneous rupture into tracheohronchial tree of a large collection of pus in the during induction of anaesthesia. This event made active ventilation and oxygenation of the patient impossible till most of the pus was drained or seutioned. Prompt lateral positioning of the patient in this case the diseased lung dependant is important to prevent the healthy lung from soiling