Introduction: Each injury is accompanied with the oxidation stress with an increase in the level of free oxygen radicals accompanied with a simultaneous decrease in the body’s antioxidation capacity. The objective of the study: The objective of this study is to verify connection between the severity of an injury and the intensity of oxidation stress. Methods: 126 patients with blunt chest injuries were evaluated during 33 months. The patients were divided into four groups, depending on the extent of trauma severity assessed by means of ISS (Injury Severity Score). Randomly selected patients in each group were administered – in addition to standard therapy – indomethacin in usual doses. Level of free oxygen radicals and the body’s antioxidation capacity were observed. All tests were carried out at a significance level α of 0.05. Results: Practically all patients, regardless of their respective subgroups, experienced an increase in the level of free oxygen radicals accompanied with a simultaneous decrease in the body’s antioxidation capacity. Conclusion: The identified results display a connection between the severity of an injury and the intensity of oxidation stress.

        Key words: blunt thoracic injury – SIRS – free oxygen radicals – antioxidation capacity