The management of respiratory failure in paediatrics.

Following a discussion on the most frequent causes of respiratory failure in children and the principles of its treatment the author presents methods of preventing the complications of prolonged endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy performed on special indications. Particular attention has been paid to careful nursing and adequate humidification of respiratory gases. Moreover the avoiding of tightly-fitting endotracheal tubes and the method of their fixation -- as established at the author's hospital -- are of basic importance for the maintenance of uncomplicated intubation for even several weeks. In the treatment of respiratory failure the use of CPAP and PEEP is helpful. An exact knowledge of the mechanics of respiration in children and its correct evaluation are of greater significance when using various methods of controlled respiration than a selection of a respirator model.