[Assessment of residual lesions after a chest trauma (author's transl)].

The correct assessment of residual respiratory lesions after a chest injury requires clinical examination, roentgenographic examination in two planes, lung function tests including ergo-spirometry and blood gas analyses before and after exercise. Oxygen consumption during exercise should be one of the criteria whereby to judge any reduction in working capacity. Improvements in respiratory function have been observed as late as two years after the accident.