[Postoperative ventilation using the iron lung principle. A renaissance of this form of artificial respiration?]

Artificial ventilation using the iron lung as an alternative to endotracheal intubation and respiration may be a useful method in reducing bronchopulmonary infections attributed to postoperative ventilation or resulting during intensive care treatment. The concept of transferring and further developing this "external" respiratory principle to anaesthesiological situations is presented. Four high-risk surgical patients were subjected to post-operative artificial ventilation with the iron lung: the results demonstrated that this method was effective and well tolerated. Another speciality planned for its employment is transplant surgery. Numerous other fields could also be considered. Before the iron lung can be put to use in anaesthesiology certain further developments are required. These developments relate to its practical aspects and more importantly to the additional ventilation possibilities which can be achieved. The future extent of employment of the iron lung in anaesthesiology cannot be predicted at present. In our opinion, however, this form of respiration could prove an adequate method in special situations.