Caustic oesophageal stricture treated by instrumental dilatation: A review of 6 years of practice at the pediatric university hospital charles de gaulle of Ouagadougou.

Background: Oesophageal stricture is one of the most important and redoubtable complications following caustic ingestions in children. Instrumental dilatation is usually considered the first line of treatment. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of caustic stenosis treatment when using Lerut dilatators. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study from May 2014 to April 2020. All children under 15 years hospitalised in our department for caustic oesophageal stricture and had a gastrostomy and oesophageal dilatation with insertion of an endless wire were included. Results: A total of 83 patients were included. The sex ratio was 2.2. The mean age was 4 years. The mean time from caustic ingestion to presentation was 90 days. Oesophageal stricture was mostly caused by caustic soda (n = 41) and potash (n = 15). We performed in total 469 dilatations and had only three oesophageal perforations. After a mean follow-up of 17 months, we had 60.2% good results (n = 50) and 7.2% (n = 6) failures. The mortality rate was 13.2% (n = 11). Conclusion: The results of the dilations by Lerut dilatators give encouraging results in our department. It is easy to perform and its complications remain rare. Mortality could be reduced by adequate nutritional support.

[Epidemiology of neonatal surgical emergencies in Ouagadougou]. / Épidémiologie des urgences chirurgicales néonatales à Ouagadougou.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of neonatal surgery emergencies and to highlight the main causes and difficulties related to better handling of these emergencies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a 1-year descriptive prospective study from September 2009 to September 2010 based on 102 cases collected. At admission, we studied the patients' age, the pathologies encountered, the related malformations, the terms for better management, and prognosis. FINDINGS: In 1 year, we registered 102 cases of neonatal surgical emergencies affecting the digestive tract (63.7%), the anterior side of the abdomen (24.5%), trauma (6.7%), and tumors (2%). Males comprised 60.8% of the cases. The sex-ratio was 1.55. The frequency of such cases was 3.94%. The average age of patients was 5 days with the 0- to 5-day-old age group presenting most frequently. The average hospitalization lasted 2.75 days and the admission method was the reference in 75.5%. Congenital pathology accounted for 95.5% of cases with anorectal malformations (ARM) (35; 95%) and omphaloceles (28.1%). Hirschsprung disease was the main cause of bowel obstruction other than ARM (50%). The average time to surgery was about 2.54 days. The overall mortality of neonatal surgical emergencies was 30.3% and postoperative mortality 32.35%. The late consultation, poverty, a shortage of qualified staff, prematurity, low birth weight, congenital disease, and related malformations were the leading factors of a poor prognosis. Acquisition of effective technical means, staff training, measures to combat poverty, and better prenatal care would improve the management of neonatal surgical emergencies. CONCLUSION: Neonatal surgical emergencies include conditions that require immediate and adequate support. The continuous training of healthcare workers at all levels in the detection of neonatal emergencies and equipping healthcare facilities are an absolute necessity to provide better management and reduce the mortality rate.

[Acute intestinal obstruction]. / Occlusion intestinale aiguë.

A 12-year-old boy is admitted for emergency surgery for acute abdominal syndrome. The intervention showed strangulation of the terminal ileum by the vermiform appendix. The pathology analysis showed bilharzial appendicitis by Schistosoma haematobium. The patient was treated with praziquantel. The literature is not plentiful on this subject. Because protozoiasis is endemic in this area, it should be looked for in all cases of appendicitis, as it requires medical treatment in addition to the appendectomy.

[Morgagni hernia: Concerning 2 pediatric cases in Sub-Saharan Africa]. / Hernie de morgagni: a propos de deux cas pediatriques en Afrique Sub Saharienne.

Morgagni hernias are uncommon diaphragmatic hernias that are generally asymptomatic, and so far, very limited data is available about them. We report two cases of repaired successfully Morgagni hernias using a transabdominal approach. The aim of this study is to illustrate the diagnostic difficulties and the excellent post operational prognostic observed following the transabdominal procedure. Both patients were female, one 8 months old and the other 3 months old. The presenting symptom was recurrent chest infection. Chest x-rays were carried out on both patients, which showed a pre-cardiac gas mass. A transabdominal surgical approach enabled surgeons to sow the defect with non resorbable suture material in one patient, and a prolene plate in the other. The patients fully recovered and no postoperative difficulties were reported.

La hernie de Morgagni ou hernie diaphragmatique congénitale antérieure est une entité peu décrite dans la littérature et est le plus souvent asymptomatique. Le but de cette étude est d'illustrer les difficultés diagnostiques et l'excellent pronostic après traitement chirurgical après abord trans abdominal sus ombilical de cette forme rare de hernie des coupoles diaphragmatiques. Nous rapportons deux cas simulant une pneumopathie chronique chez deux nourrissons de sexe féminin âgés respectivement de 8 mois et 3 mois. Les radiographies pulmonaires de face et de profil ont permis de poser le diagnostic par la mise en évidence d'une clarté gazeuse pré cardiaque. La laparotomie transversale sus ombilicale a permis la fermeture du défect par suture avec du fil non résorbable chez une patiente et une obturation à l'aide d'une plaque de prolène chez la deuxième patiente. Les suites opératoires ont été simples.

The paediatric surgeon and his working conditions in Francophone sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: This study described the current conditions of work of paediatric surgeons in Francophone sub-Saharan Africa (FSSA) and set the debate at the level of the humanist thinking in medicine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicentre study from 1 st May to 30 th October 2008. The African Society of paediatric surgeons' directory was used to identify paediatric surgeons in the Francophone's countries in Sub Saharan Africa. The parameters studied were number of surgeons per country, means of training, working conditions, remunerations, needs for continuous training and the research. RESULTS: A total of 41 paediatric surgeons (68.33%) responded. The average number of paediatric surgeons per country was 5. The means of training included government scholarships among 7 paediatric surgeons (17.07%), scholarship from a non-governmental organisations in 14 (34.15%) and self-sponsorships in 20 (48.78%). The average salary was 450 Euros (€) (range: 120-1 400 Euros). Most of the paediatric surgeons (68.29%) had internet services for continuous update courses and research. Thirty six paediatric surgeons (87.80%) had no subscription to specialised scientific journals. CONCLUSION: The paediatric surgeon in FSSA faces many problems related to his working and living conditions that may have a negative impact on their competences.

Hirschsprung's disease: management problem in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: The management of Hirschsprung's disease remains a problem in developing countries. Our aim is to identify the main epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of Hirschsprung's disease at the University Child Hospital Charles De Gaulle of Ouagadougou (CHUP-CDG). PATIENTS AND METHOD: It is a retrospective study carried out in the period from January 2001 to December 2007 in the Surgery Unit at CHUP-CDG, which is a reference centre for Paediatric Surgery in Burkina Faso. RESULTS: There were 52 patients (M: F=3.3:1). The annual incidence was seven cases. Age at presentation and diagnosis ranged from two days 10 years (median 20 months). Twenty five patients were from poor socio-economic conditions. Presentations were mainly intestinal obstruction, chronic constipation and enterocolitis. There were two cases of associated trisomy 21. Average age at operative intervention was 3.17 months. The rectosigmoidal form was the most frequently encountered. Over two-thirds (67.31%), with no complications at presentation, had benefited from nursing before their final treatment. A temporary colostomy was requested in case of complication. Swenson's technique was practiced for all the patients who underwent surgery operation. The assessment of functional results in eight patients after an average decrease of 3.5 years gave excellent results. Post-surgery complications were mainly enterocolitis in 12% of patients. Mortality rate was 16%. CONCLUSION: Management of Hirschsprung's disease is a problem in Burkina Faso. It is characterised by its late presentation and difficult diagnosis due to inaccessibility and the non-availability of some investigation services (barium enema, histochemistry, and histology), resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. Effective technical capacities, adequate staff training, and public education will be necessary to improve care quality.

[Strangulated umbilical hernia in children (Burkina Faso): differences with developed countries]. / Hernies ombilicales étranglées chez l'enfant au Burkina Faso: différences avec les pays développés.

Umbilical hernias occur frequently in children but complications are rarely reported. This study assesses the incidence of complicated umbilical hernias in our patients, evaluates data for risk factors, and shows dissimilarities with those encountered in developed countries. This study reports all children operated for complications due to strangulated umbilical hernia over a period of 3 years. On the whole, 162 children had umbilical hernias treated during this period. Thirty (18.5%) of these had complicated hernias. The average age of the complicated group was 3(1/2) years. Twenty-nine cases had a painful irreducible umbilical mass. Twenty-four children had bowel obstruction, while stercoral fistula occurred in one child. The average diameter of the hernia ranged between 1 and 1.5 cm. Five patients had ischemic intestine that required resection. One patient died. When active observation and follow-up after 1 year is difficult or not feasible when the wall defect diameter is 1.5 cm or less, and in suspicion of incarceration (unexplained abdominal pain, and irreducibility), umbilical hernia should be operated.

[Warm saline enema for reduction of intestinal invagination under the ultrasonographic guidance: preliminary results apropos of 2 cases]. / Désinvagination intestinale par lavement au sérum salé isotonique tiédi sous contrôle échographique: résultats préliminaires à propos de deux cas.

The authors describe the use of isotonic normal saline enema under US guidance in the treatment of acute uncomplicated intestinal intussusception in infants. The technique was successfully used in two patients aged respectively 18 and 16 months, with 11 and 9-month follow-up. The various steps of this technique and the results are analyzed and discussed. It is a valuable alternative to surgical treatment or hydrostatic reduction with opaque x-ray contrast under fluoroscopic guidance.

[Burn-induced contraction cicatrix in children. Review of 79 cases]. / Les cicatrices rétractiles de la main brûlée chez l'enfant. Une revue de 79 cas.

Post-burn flexion contractures of the hands are evaluated in this retrospective study concerning eighty-six hands of seventy-nine children in the pediatric surgery unit of the University hospital of Dakar from 1971 to 1995. A peak frequency was found among 2-months-old males. Fire (flames or embers) is the most frequent etiology (49.5%). The initial treatment of these burns is more often inadequate because it is performed in dispensaries (small clinics) or at home and then causes severe sequelae. Among the methods of treatment, excision with graft gives the best results in short flexion contractures. Isolated Z plasty can be used successfully. Our follow-up is short (6 months) but the results are relatively good. Among the factors influencing the results, the seriousness of the lesions, the type of surgical treatment, immobilization and physiotherapy are the most significant.

[Contribution of medical imaging in osteoarticular manifestations of sickle cell anemia in the child]. / Apport de l'imagerie médicale dans les manifestations ostéo-articulaires de la drépanocytose chez l'enfant.

Drepanocytosis is one of the qualitative hemoglobinopathies which are the most widespread in the word. In a retrospective study on 16 drepanocytary patients observed at the Bordeaux Children's hospital, 7 patients showed medullar hyperplasia, 10 patients showed vaso-occlusive, and 4 patients showed infections. Medullar hyperplasia: bone demineralisation was the current appearance (47%), cortical thinning down (40.5%). They touch long bone. Thrombosis: bone demineralisation was the current appearance (86.3%) and touch long bone, 1 first appearance right femoral head infarct. Some particular appearances we found. 2 cases of "hand foot syndrome", 1 case ischemic aseptic arthritis and 1 case of vertebra "step staircase". Three salmonella pandiaphysite and 1 tuberculosis spondylodiscite were observed. The authors analyse the major radiological appearances of this hemoglobinopathy and recall the interest in knowing this disease even in low endemicity countries.

[Complications of thyroid surgery, apropos of 104 thyroidectomies at the Ougadougou University Hospital Center]. / Les complications de la chirurgie thyroïdienne (à propos de 104 thyroïdectomies au CHU de Ouagadougou.

We report a series of 104 thyroidectomies collected in Surgery and ENT departments of the University Hospital Center (UHC) of Ouagadougou. This study was composed of 85 women (81.73%) and 19 men (18.27%) 8 to 73 years old. 49 unilateral resection and 85 bilateral one were realized. Histopathologic examination has been done for 54 specimen only: 49 benign lesions (95.20%) and 5 malignant lesions (4.80%) were noted. We have observed: 7 cases of hemorrhagic complications (6.73%) with 1 death, 10 cases of unilateral laryngeal recurrent nerve palsy, permanent in 4 cases (3.85%), 2 cases of upper laryngeal nerve palsy (1.92%), 2 cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism (1.92%), 5 cases of post operative infection (4.80%). There were 2 deaths (1.92%). These results are similar with other authors results but the frequency of thyroidectomy complications is still important. Improvements in clinical practice, more specialists and great experience would improve post operative results of thyroidectomy.

[Small-bowel duplication, apropos of a case in a child]. / Duplication du grèle (à propos d'un cas chez l'enfant).

A pediatric case of small bowel duplication is reported. Non-specific abdominal pain was the main complain. A fixed hypogastric mass was found. Abdominal palpation under general anesthesia disclosed a movable intraperitoneal mass which proved at laparotomy to be a cystic duplication of the small bowel. The cyst was excised according to Norris procedure. Recovery was uneventful. Complications and therapeutic aspects of this rare condition are discussed.

[Osteogenesis imperfecta diagnoses early, apropos of a case at the Yalgadou Ouédraogo National Hospital Center of Ouagadougou]. / Ostéogenèse imparfaite (O.I.) à révélation précoce (a propos d'un cas au Centre Hospitalier National Yalgadou Ouédraogo de Ouagadougou).

Osteogenesis imperfecta which represents a family tragedy for parents, a curiosity for physicians and radiologists, constitutes a real constitutional osteoporosis, usually rare with dominant autosomic transmission. Authors report a case of a 37 week amenorrhea living foetus, presenting an osteogenesis imperfecta. This affection, with early in utero manifestations, has a bad prognosis (baby deceased 72 hours after birth). Diagnosis was suspected at echography and conformed by x-rays investigations. The new born got also clinical and pathological examinations. Authors emphasize the unusualness and the gravity of these early clinical features. They insist on doing echography and radiography for the location of osseous and visceral lesions before and afterbirth.

[Duodenal diaphragm in children (two cases)]. / Diaphragme duodénal chez l'enfant (à propos de deux observations).

Duodenal diaphragm is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. Two pediatric cases are reported in which vomiting of bile-stained material and distension of the epigastrium were the main clinical signs. Roentgenograms and sonograms were highly suggestive. Duodenal bypass was easy to perform and effective. Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that associated anomalies are frequent and may be severe.

[Male breast cancer in Africa, Apropos of 5 cases at the Ouagadougou University Teaching Hospital (Burkina Faso)]. / Cancer du sein de l'homme en milieu africain. A propos de 5 cas observés au centre hospitalo-universitaire de Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

A retrospective study of male breast cancer was undertaken at Ouagadougou University Teaching Hospital over a 3 year period (1993-1996). Authors report 5 cases representing 4.16% of all breast cancers. The patients' mean age was 61 years. The average duration of signs and symptoms before the diagnosis was 13 months. Clinically all the 5 cases presented advanced cancers (4 T4N2M0, 1 T4N2M1 according to UICC TNM System) with size ranging from 5.5, to 11.5 cm. Histology found: 2 medullary infiltrating carcinoma, 1 canalar infiltrating carcinoma, 1 colloid mucous carcinoma and 1 lobular infiltrating carcinoma. All patients had mastectomy associated with axillary clearance in 4 cases. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonotherapy were not associated because unavailable in Burkina Faso. Three patients died: the first, 10 days after surgical treatment and the 2 others respectively after 14 and 17 months. We have lost sight 1 patients. The last one is still alive. Authors find that to get better prognosis, it is important to improve medical and technical means, to increase information and to promote early detection.

[Cervical teratomas in the child (apropos of 8 cases)]. / Tératomes cervicaux chez l'enfant (à propos de 8 cas).

Eight cases of cervical teratomas in children are reported including 4 boys and 4 girls. Six patients presented within the first 10 days of life. The tumor was congenital in 7 cases. In 3 neonates it produced severe respiratory distress. Neural and chondral tissues were predominant but all three germ layers were represented. All patients were operated upon, with a 2/8 mortality. The main clinical and histopathological features of these rare tumors are reviewed. Early total surgical removal is the cornerstone of treatment.

[Congenital urachal fistulas: apropos of 2 cases in children]. / Les fistules ouraquiennes congénitales: à propos de deux cas chez l'enfant.

Two paediatric cases of patent urachus are reported. In one of these cases, the anomaly was isolated whereas in the other case an omphalocele was also noted. Radical excision of the urachus with segmental resection of the bladder was easy and highly effective. Anatomy, complications and therapeutic aspects of this rare condition are discussed.

[Thyroid tumors. 83 operated cases]. / Les tumeurs du corps thyroïde. A propos de 83 cas opérés.

The existence of a thyroïd tumour causes serious diagnostic problems. The retrospective analysis of 83 files collected between 1988 and 1993 (i.e. 6 years) allowed reviewing various diagnostic and therapeutic problems related to thyroid tumoral pathology in Burkina Faso. This pathology is more frequent in women (the sex ratio is 0.22). Clinical data show a high frequency of nodular goitre (87.95%) dominated by the multinodular form. The tumoral volume often proved impressive in most of our patients. Yet, at the histological analysis, 92.68% of thyroid tumours are benign, adenoma being in the lead (68.29% of cases). On the therapeutic level, in the absence of an isotopic exploration and extemporane analysis, surgical gesture was straightaway wide (60% of total or subtotal exerese). The post surgeries were satisfactory in general.