[Abbreviated laparotomy in patients with hemorrhagic shock]. / La laparotomia abbreviata in pazienti con shock emorragico.

Five cases of severe hemorrhagic shock of abdominal origin treated with abbreviated laparotomy due to the onset of hypothermia, acidosis and consumption coagulopathy are described. The abdomen was temporarily closed and the patients were transferred to these Intensive Therapy Unit for the treatment correction of these disorders. Patients were then re-operated on 30 hours after the reestablishment of vital functions. Clinical complications of hemorrhagic shock, in which the "Abbreviated Laparotomy" technique is applicable, are presented.

[Ludwig angina: a disease of the past century. Case report]. / Angina di Ludwig: una malattia del secolo passato. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

The case of a patient with Ludwig's angina, diffuse inflammation of the submandibular and sublingual spaces, a rare but life threatening disease, is described. This disorder can develop almost always as a complication of the dental infection. Causative bacteria include many Gram-negative, anaerobic organisms, streptococci and staphylococci. The potential for rapid respiratory obstruction is the greatest concern. Other serious complications include sepsis, mediastinitis, pleural empidema, pericarditis, pericardial tamponade. A cervico thoracic CT-scan and neck RNM, were performed to determine the extent of the inflammatory lesion. Treatment consists of ensuring adequate ventilation, with tracheostomy, broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage of the source of infection. The patient recovered without complications.

Significance of local extradural cooling on cervical spinal cord (experimental study).

The authors test the effectiveness of extradural cooling for the reduction of local edema and metabolic demand in spinal cord injuries. They measure the intramedullar temperature before and during local perfrigeration with a different method as compared to those previously reported in the literature.