[Pre-, per-, and postoperative resuscitation in thoracic surgery in newborn infants]

The authors report their five year-experience in reanimation during thoracic surgery in the new-born. The report concerns 66 cases (43 atresias of the oesophagus and 23 diaphragmatic hernias). Prognosonis depends on: 1 -- A permanent temam of suitably qualified doctors ready to carry out at any time the required therapy on the infant. 2 -- Free air way (kinesitherapy, continous and prolonged suction of oesophageal atresias and bronchial suction). 3 -- Ventilation (surgery on clean lungs in atresias, diaphragmatic prosthesis and suturing of skin in hernias). Respect of these rules in diaphragmatic hernias saved 12 lives out of 23; in oesophageal atresias, 16 survived out of 16 cases classified as good cases, and the total survival rate was 73%.