The plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline were determined by a radioenzymatic method in 6 severely burned patients during the course of treatment and during the surgical procedures. The mean level of noradrenaline of all patients was 0.83±0.48 ng/ml during the first week of treatment, 0.62±0.40 ng/ml during the 2nd week and 0.61±0.42 ng/ml during the 3rd week. The corresponding levels of adrenaline were 0.23±0.20 ng/ml, 0.13±0.08 and 0.08±0.04 ng/ml, respectively. — These levels of catecholamines were lower than those reported in literature. However the surgical treatment provoked a considerable increase of especially noradrenaline intra-as well as postoperatively. This increase was most pronounced during the first operation performed within the 3rd and 13th day after the thermal injury and was independent of the anaesthetic agent used. — The data indicate that adequate infusion, intensive care, warm environment (30–32 °C) and early surgical treatment are important factors in the treatment of burn patients. Additionally warm environment during operation and short operation time are considered to be beneficial.