Abstract:
Twelve patients with unilateral puimonary
contusion following blunt chest trauina received
conventional mechanical ventilation for
hypoxaemic respiraiory failure. Nosocomial
pneumonia and adult respiratory distress
syndrome developed in all pbtients r'esultins in
prolonged ventilator therapy. Conventio"nal
ventilatory support was ridt successful in
reducing morbidity. The optimum pattern of
mechanical ventilation in pulmonarv'contusion
remains controversial. SAlit lung ventilation
with selective separate tidal v"olumes and
positive end expiratory pressure has shown
encouraging results in s<jme sfudies. Alternative
treatment modalities are necessary to salvase
oxygenation and reduce morbidity i" il-l"3e
patients.
