[Inhalation of regurgitated fluid during anesthesia]

Since the observations of HALL in 1940 and MENDELSON in 1946 numerous clinical and experimental reports have completed our knowledge of the consequences of inhalation of fluid during anesthesia. Apart from the pulmonary signs, this syndrome includes cardiovascular signs. The course of the pulmonary disease is often unfavourable. Frequently, diagnostic problems are raised a posteriori in the light of respiratory distress and abnormal pulmonary radiological signs. It is then sometimes difficult to distinguish the role of the position on the operating table, the role of massive transfusion without adequate filtration, a state of shock, or unrecognised inhalation of fluid. The various problems are exposed. The interest of prevention and treatment is discussed.