Occurrence of pulmonary insufficiency in abdominal trauma

The alteration of pulmonary function in 35 patients with abdominal trauma admitted to the Trauma ICU of Oska University Hospital were studied. A fall of PaO2 reaching the lowest level on the third post-traumatic day, incomplete recovery even on the seventh posttraumatic day and of longer duration was remarkable in comparison to those seen after elective abdominal surgery. Thirty two patients recovered without need of particular respiratory control but remaining three died with progressive decrease of PaO2 in spite of the intensive respiratory care. The hypoxia seen in the fatal cases was irresponsive to the administration of 100 per cent O2 with mechanical ventilation. Therefore, increase in intrapulmonary shunt was likely to be responsible for their fatal course.