Tetanus in the adult: intensive care and management experience with 233 cases.

Over a period of 10 years, 233 adult patients were treated for severe tetanus in this ICU. Criteria of severity, clinical patterns, and a detailed plan of treatment are outlined. The authors emphasize that such treatment implicates the permanent availability of trained personel in handling cardiorespiratory emergencies as well as prolonged mechanical ventilatory assistance in a specially designed environment (ICU).