Could the Tokyo guidelines on the management of acute cholecystitis be adopted in developing countries? Experience of one center.

PURPOSE: The Tokyo guidelines for diagnostic criteria and severity assessment of acute cholecystitis (AC), published in 2007, recommend early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) be done as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. We conducted this study to analyze the changes in the therapeutic strategy for AC in a surgical center in Tunisia after the Tokyo guidelines were published. METHODS: Between January, 2005 and January, 2013, 649 patients underwent cholecystectomy for AC at the Department of Surgery, Mohamed Tahar Maamouri Hospital in Nabeul, Tunisia. The study period was subdivided into before (n = 192) and after (n = 457) the publication of the Tokyo guidelines, that is, prior to and including 2007, and from 2008 onward, respectively. We reviewed patient records retrospectively to collect demographic data, biochemical data, radiological findings, and postoperative outcomes. All these factors were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The duration of symptoms before surgery was significantly longer before 2008 (p = 0.018). ELC was significantly more frequent after 2008 (p = 0.001). Laparoscopic surgery was converted to open surgery in 16.1 % of patients before 2008 vs. 7.8 % of patients after 2008 (p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in bile duct injury or postoperative complications between the groups. The length of preoperative, postoperative, and total hospital stay was longer before 2008. CONCLUSIONS: ELC is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for AC. The Tokyo guidelines resulted in a significant increase in the number of ELCs being performed and significantly reduced preoperative and total hospital stay without increasing intra- and postoperative complications. Importantly, ELC reduced medical costs, which is crucial for a country with limited resources, such as Tunisia.

[Vesico-sigmoid fistula secondary to diverticulitis: a case report]. / Fistule vesico-sigmoidienne d'origine diverticulaire. A propos d'un cas.

Vesico-sigmoid fistula is a rare complication of colic diverticular disease. It develops when the bladder sticks to an inflammatory colon making of a communication between the bladder and the digestive segment, usually the sigmoid. Liquid usually passes from the colon to the bladder because of the existing pressure gradient. Hence, urinary symptoms are the most frequent. Surgery is the treatment of choice. The present case is about a 72-year-old man who had a total hematuria for 3 months. The diagnosis of a vesico-sigmoid fistula secondary to colic diverticulitis was established by cystoscopy, colonoscopy and cystography. Surgery was underlaken and the postoperative outcome was excellent. Through this case the clinical features, special investigations and treatment of vesico-sigmoid fistula, are reported.

[True aneurysm of the common hepatic artery: a case report]. / Anévrysme vrai de l'artère hépatique commune: a propos d'une observation.

We report a case of hepatic artery aneurysm suggested by the appearance of epigastric mass. The diagnosis was confirmed by doppler sonography and helical CT. Surgical excision of the aneurysm without vascular reconstruction was carried out.

Management of penetrating cardiac injuries in the Department of surgery, Mohamed Thahar Maamouri Hospital, Tunisia: report of 19 cases.

The goal of this paper is to discuss how to ameliorate the management of penetrating cardiac injuries in general surgery department. An algorithm for the initial assessment of penetrating injuries in cardiac box, based on our own experience, is presented. This was a retrospective study of 19 patients undergoing thoracotomy for penetrating cardiac injuries, managed in the department of general surgery of Nabeul-Tunisia, between 1994 and 2010. The mean age of patients was 25 years old. Sex ratio was 8,5. All patients had cardiac injury resulting from stab wounds inside of the pericardium. 42% of them were critically unstable, 21% had cardiac tamponnade. All these patients were quickly transferred to the operating room without any other investigations. 37% of patients were hemodynamically stable and underwent additional investigations. The management of penetrating cardiac injuries is possible in a general surgery department, but it requires a rapid prehospital transfer, a yet thorough physical examination along with efficient surgical management, all done in minimal time.