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From 1.1.1980 to 31.12.1992, ninety-four of our patients underwent surgical removal of pulmonary metastases. The classification of the primary tumours found cas as follows: sarcoma 24.5% (n = 23), renal carcinoma 22.3% (n = 21), malignant melanoma 19.1% (n = 19), colon carcinoma 15.9% (n = 15) and ovarian and testicular tumours with 10.6% (n = 10). Three cases presented metastases from a carcinoma of the floor of the outh. The remaining cases were secondaries from bronchial, oesophageal and larynx carcinoma and from a malignant thymoma. In 71 cases, the tumour was removed using an atypical resection technique, and in 22 cases by carrying out a lobectomy. In one case an "extended lobectomy" was performed. Hospital mortality was 1.1%. Survival rate was 60% at 1 year and 40% at 3 years. 38.3% of the patients lived for five years or more.

With intensive care, pleural drainage and judicious physiotherapy most thoracic injuries can be treated adequately. 571 patients were treated for severe thoracic injuries over the last 10 years. A thoracotomy was necessary in 14% of the patients with blunt trauma (BT) and 33% with penetrating trauma (PT). Thoracotomy for PT was performed earlier and had better results than thoracotomy for BT. Seventy-five percent of PT were operated in the first hour after admission against 29% of BT. Postoperative mortality for PT was three times lower than for BT (18% vs 56%). Reasons for this are the higher rate of injuries associated with BT. Surgical procedure depends on the type and extent of the thoracic and general injuries and on the patient's general condition.

The aim of surgical treatment of acute deep venous thrombosis is to prevent lethal pulmonary emboli, the venous desobstruction and the maintenance of the valvular mechanism. From 1972 to 1982, 161 patients have been operated at the surgical clinic of Cologne. In 41.4% of the cases the long term result was excellent. The clinical examination, the complaints of the patients, the phlebography were judgement criteria.