Near-drowning syndrome depends on the duration of submersion, the amount of
fluid aspirated, and the severity of hypoxia. We report a case in which a
patient developed ARDS shortly after undergoing a left upper lobectomy and
a chest wall resection for a lung carcinoma. On further investigation, the
ARDS was caused by near-drowning in a basin of freshwater: the patient's fa
ce was submerged by the patient's companion as part of a cultural tradition
of trying to clean his lung. We believe that this case presents the etiolo
gy of freshwater near-drowning syndrome due to an ethnogenic practice not p
reviously reported.