[Use of barbiturates in posttraumatic comas at the mesencephalic level. Apropos of 38 cases]. / Utilisation des barbituriques dans les comas post-traumatiques de niveau mésencéphalique. A propos de 38 cas.

Thirty-eight patients with brain injury and mesencephalic coma, or a Glasgow score of less than 5, were treated routinely with Thiopental administered by electric syringe for a mean duration of 4 days. Follow up review criteria were based on clinical computed tomography and electroencephalographic data, as well as results of monitoring of intracranial pressure and assay of blood barbiturate levels. Global results indicated a mortality of 55.3% and reintegration of 34.2% of the patients. Results as a function of the different parameters of surveillance are discussed.