COMA DUE TO FAT-EMBOLISM TREATED WITH HYPOTHERMIA AND DEHYDRATION

Cerebral function before and after carotid endarterectomy

Twenty men had their cerebral function measured preoperatively and three months after carotid endarterectomy using the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological test battery. Thirteen patients were cerebrally impaired preoperatively, but 12 of them improved appreciably after surgery. Changes in internal carotid arterial blood flow measured preoperatively showed no significant correlation with the improvement in neuropsychological status. We think that carotid endarterectomy carries an even better prophylaxis for the brain as a whole than had been thought.

Blunt abdominal trauma treated in an intensive care ward

Seventy-two cases of major abdominal trauma with an overall mortality of 29% are reviewed. Only cases of sufficient severity to require nursing in an intensive care unit are included.

The incidence of injury to the various viscera is shown.

Methods of diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

The causes of death in this series are analysed and ways of lowering the mortality figures outlined.