This article reviews the historical considerations of whole lung lavage, its indications, the details of the technique, the complications, and the benefits of this unusual treatment modality. It is important to differentiate whole lung lavage from bronchoalveolar lavage (Table 1). Bronchoalveolar lavage is a diagnostic tool using only 300 mL of liquid in one segment of the lung with the aid of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) and under local anesthesia. Whole lung lavage is a treatment modality that requires over 10 L of normal saline instilled through a double-lumen tube (DLT) in one complete lung, and is realized with the patient under general anesthesia.