[Diseases of the shipwrecked: apropos of 3 cases]. / Pathologie du naufragé: à propos de trois cas.

ABSTRACT

Three men (31, 34, 36 yr old) were rescued after they had drifted for 50 hours on their wrecked catamaran. While their apparent clinical condition was not worrying, besides multiple bruises, marked dehydration, epigastralgias, mild hypothermia in one patient and 50, severe biological disorders were present in all four haemoconcentration, functional renal insufficiency, metabolic acidosis, severe rhabdomyolysis, hepatic cytolysis. After intravenous rehydration for 24 hr hydroelectrolytic and acid-base anomalies were corrected. Pathophysiology of shipwreck casualties is recalled. Initial management in ICU is necessary. Psychological and emotional aspects should not be underrated.