[Respiratory insufficiency in severely burned patients].

The increasing number of respiratory insufficiency, as well as of pulmonary complications after burns and their role in the post-traumatic mortality are pointed out by the author. The pathophysiological processes responsible for the development of post-traumatic pulmonary complications are shortly resumed. In respect of the clinical picture, three groups are distinguished by the author. One case is reported in detail. In the development of post-traumatic respiratory insufficiency important role is attributed by the author to the syndromes of micro-embolism. This supposition is supported by the laboratory examination of 10 patients. Finally the problems of prevention and therapy are discussed and the importance of the iatrogenic damages is emphasized.