[Nosocomial pneumonia following surgery of esophageal tumors (apropos of 50 cases)]. / Pneumonies nosocomiales après chirurgie pour tumeur de l'oesophage (à propos de 50 cas).

Esophagus cancer surgery often becomes complicated with fistulas and above all with infections. In 50 cases, the authors relate 7 fistulas and 60 nosocomial infections among which pneumonia takes the first place. The pneumonia diagnosis has been established on the criteria of the "National Nosocomial Infection Study" and on bacteriologic samples. Those mostly isolate Gram-bacilli and streptococci. The diagnosis and etiologic factors leading to prophylactic measures are studied.

[Multiple wounds caused by a 5.56 mm bullet: the Famas, a competitive weapon]. / Polyblessure par balle de 5.56: le Famas, une arme compétitive?

A case is reported of multiple wounds to abdomen and spine from a 5.56 mm bullet. Differing from currently used weapons, a high speed bullet is projected producing damage that has been studied precisely and compared with lesions caused by conventional bullets. The weapon responsible is progressively equipping a certain number of French regiments.

[Gas gangrene: an extreme surgico-medical rather than medico-surgical emergency]. / La gangrène gazeuse: une extrême urgence "chirurgico-médicale" et non pas médico-chirurgicale.

A diabetic woman developed spontaneous gas gangrene of upper limb extending into trunk and due to clostridium septicum. Recovery was obtained after major surgery involving disarticulation of upper limb and excision of soft tissues of left hemithorax, and a difficult intensive care programme (hyperbaric oxygen therapy, assisted ventilation). The presence of this gas gangrene revealed a bipolar colon cancer treated in parallel. The conventional therapeutic hierarchy is discussed: surgery should be carried out as an extreme emergency and should not be delayed to allow transfer to a center equipped with a hyperbaric oxygen therapy apparatus.