[Mortality after regular implantations of total hip prostheses]. / Mortalité après implantations réglées de prothèses totales de hanche.

Operative and post operative (two months) mortality among 1280 patients undergoing total hip replacement is studied. Mortality rate was 1%. The main cause is pulmonary embolism, then mental deterioration and anaesthesia. Use of methylmethacrylate did not cause death. Rheumatoid arthritis could increase the risk.

[Normovolemic hemodilution without previous blood collection]. / Hémodilution normovolémique sans prélèvement sanguin préalable.

Iso-volaemie hemodilution without preoperative blood letting was produced inpatients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Bleeding was compensated by a modified fluid gelatin-electrolyte solution until a predetermined volume was reached. Further blood-loss was compensated by blood transfusion. Clinical condition, hematocrit, coagulation and renal function were observed in the per- and post-operative period.

[Four cases of tracheoesophageal fistula associated with prolonged ventilation]. / Quatre cas de fistules oeso-trachéales au cours de la ventilation prolongée.

On the basis of four cases of oesophago-tracheal fistulae developing in ventilated patients, the authors describe the pathogenesis of these lesions, related to circulatory disturbances in the tracheal mucosa in contact with the balloon of the balloon of the tracheal tube. The spontaneous course is rapidly fatal and the results of surgical treatment remain disappointing. Prevention of these lesions is essential but difficult. It is based above all on the use of "large volume and low pressure" balloons, with periodic exsufflation. The diagnosis of these lesions must be make early and is base upon the development of tracheal dilatation, even minimal and seen radiologically by the appearance of the tube balloon. Such a finding should lead to endoscopic exploration of the tranchea and oesophagus, in order that treatment may be strated rapidly.