The extracorporeal circulation is seldom used in pulmonary surgery. In this paper, we present some clinical cases and discuss the different indications for extracorporeal circulation in pulmonary diseases. Pulmonary embolectomy and lung transplantation are the main indications for the use of heart-lung-machine. Less frequent indications are oxygen support during whole lung lavage in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Lung cancer surgery and other indications for extracorporeal circulation are also discussed.