A total of 102 patients with phaeochromocytoma who underwent surgery by the same team between 1964 and 1976 were allocated to three groups according to the anaesthetic protocol used: (1) balanced anaesthesia and control of hypotension with noradrenaline; (2) anaesthesia with halothane and replacement of blood volume; (3) neuroleptanalgesia (droperidol and phenoperidine) and replacement of blood volume. None of the patients in any of the three groups received adrenergic inhibitors before anaesthesia. Comparison of the results in the three groups revealed that the major factor responsible for reduction of operative mortality to almost zero was control of hypotension by replacement of blood volume rather than by the use of noradrenaline following resection of the tumour, whereas the type of anaesthetic agent used was of secondary importance. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty female and 42 male patients with phaeochromocytoma, aged 12-78 yr (mean 42 ± 14 SD) underwent surgery between 1964 and 1976. In 86 patients the tumour was in the adrenal gland, in 11, it was extraadrenal and it was malignant in five. The character

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The results suggest that early onset pneumonia leads to secondary injuries in head-injured patients. Nasal carriage of S. aureus, aspiration before intubation, and use of barbiturates are specific independent risk factors for early onset pneumonia and must be assessed to find and evaluate strategies to prevent early onset pneumonia.

: Therapeutic, II.(Figure is included in full-text article.).