[Evaluation of regional anesthesia procedure in an emergency department].

Objectives: Evaluation of regional anaesthesia procedures for limb traumatic surgery performed in an emergency department.

Method: Anaesthetic procedures concerning traumatic emergencies have been studied from 1995 to 2000.

Results: A 32% increase in anaesthesia practice was observed from 1995 (221) to 2000 (292) with a 52% increase in regional anaesthesia.

[Asthmatic crisis and spontaneous rupture of the esophagus].

We report a case of spontaneous rupture of oesophagus revealed by a severe asthma attack, in a 78-year-old woman, with continuous dyspneic asthma treated with corticosteroids. We discuss the diagnostic difficulties in spontaneous oesophageal rupture, and emphasize the necessity for always looking for a triggering factor in case of severe attacks of asthma not responding to treatment.