[Early general complications of total hinged knee prosthesis].

16 early deaths (within 24 hours) were observed after 758 knee joint replacements. In eight instances the patient died during the operation, and the other eight few hours later. The author discussed several possible causes: toxicity of the monomere, fat embolism hyperpressure in the medullary canal, hemorrhage. Several per and post operative precautions are recomanded.