[Contribution on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism (author's transl)]

In the 50 year period between 1917 and 1966, 915 patients, 0.44% of the total surgical patients at the Surgical Clinic of the University of Jena, died from pulmonary embolism. In 20% of the cases autopsy failed to disclose any thrombus. Among 714 fatal cases of postoperative lung embolism, 43% occurred after abdominal surgery, 18% after surgery on the extremities, and 14% followed urogenital operations. Peak incidence of lung embolism fell on the day of operation and on the 6th, 7th, and 13th postoperative day. Patients at risk of embolism can be identified beforehand. The incidence of pre- and postroperative pulmonary embolism can be reduced to a great extent by specific preventive measures carried out prior to, during, and after surgical intervention. Prevention, diagnosis, and present day treatment of pulmonary embolism are discussed.