[Pulmonary contusion after blunt chest trauma--an experimental model (author's transl)]

A model in the rat for pulmonary contusion after blunt chest trauma is described. It is possible to avoid trauma of the mediastinal organs, liver and spleen; therefore it is possible to produce pulmonary contusion with a good reproducebility. The parameter for the extent of contusion was the lungweight which rose statistically with a specific force of trauma. Simultaneous injection of high doses of prednisolone with the blunt chest trauma inhibits the increase of the lung weight.