[Troubles felt in the central surgery suite of an hospital in Marseilles: what relevant factor?].

Objectives: In August 2005, a series of complaints, with a strong media coverage, occurred among the staff of the surgery suite of an hospital in Marseilles during a maintenance work period. A study realized during this period of time concluded that the complaints were due to a collective phenomenon provoked by a << self-amplified >> acute discomfort among the staff. No triggering mechanism was identified till then.

Persistent cognitive functioning deficits in operating rooms: two cases.

Background: To date, chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE) has never been described in operating room personnel.

Case Report: We report two cases of anaesthetists who developed this pathology. They have both used anaesthetic gases for many years in paediatric surgery.