[Respiratory controlled intermittent inspiratory pleural drainage--a method for handling life threatening bronchopleural fistulas]. / Die respiratorgesteuerte intermittierende Pleuradrainage--eine Methode zur Behandlung lebensbedrohlicher bronchopleuraler Fisteln.

A report is presented on a technical device for artificial ventilation of patients with severe bronchopleural fistulae. The respirator-controlled apparatus interrupts drainage suction at the beginning of inspiration and releases it again at expiration. In contrast to similar constructions, this system does not allow drainage secretions to influence its functional efficiency. Modifications for connection of this apparatus are conceivable for all modern respirators. A case is described in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure. The hitherto published literature is critically reviewed.

[Fatal burn from a heated mat on the operating table]. / Tödliche Verbrennungen durch Operationstischheizmatte.

A number of heating mats were developed for use on operating tables in order to avoid hypothermia and incidental cardiocirculatory changes in patients undergoing prolonged surgical interventions. Because of inadequate technical safety devices, they can cause burns in patients. We report the case of a patient who, undergoing surgery for an aortobifemoral bypass, died of 2nd and 3rd degree burns after having been placed on a Maquet mat. Other possibilities which may lead to such severe burns are discussed.