[Specific probelms in the intensive care of patients with multiple injuries (author's transl)]

Respiratory problems such as throacic injuries, shock lung, fat embolism aspiration are predominant in a specialized intensive care unit for patients with multiple trauma. The most important pulmonary complications are tension pneumothorax (in which case an immediate diagnosis is essential), atelectasis, lesions of the trachea, and pulmonary infections (12 percent of the patients). With severe head injuries it is often difficult to decide whether intensive care is justified. Unfortunately, there are no clear criteria for an early assessment of the prognosis in many of these cases.