[Tracheobronchial ruptures seen in emergencies. Viewpoint of the anesthesiologist].

At the Marie Lannelongue surgical centre between 1964 and 1975, out of 278 patients with trauma of the thorax, we noted only 10 cases of tracheal-bronchial rupture admitted as an emergency = 9 ruptures due to closed trauma of the thorax, one with division of the lower part of the trachea. Analysis of these cases showed in particular:-the notion of violent trauma in -young subjects (average age: 20 years). In these thoracic injuries suspected of tracheal-bronchial rupture, the anaesthetist intervenes in four early stages: 1) arrival of the injured patient 2) bronchoscopy-diagnosis 3) surgical operation, the anaesthetic problems are linked to various factors, the most important of which are the very precarious cardio-respiratory condition, the lack of information and, sometimes, the lack of time. 4) Post-operative respiratory resuscitation.