Connaissances et pratiques des étapes préalables à la stérilisation des dispositifs médicaux thermorésistants : Etude au Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Sahloul, Sousse-Tunisie - 2022.

OBJECTIVES: The standard process of central sterilization is crucial for the optimal functioning of the operating room. The outcome of this process is closely linked to the steps preceding the steps prior to the sterilization step itself. These steps include pre-disinfection carried out in the operating rooms and other stages, namely washing, drying and packaging, which must be performed in the central sterilization unit. In this context, this study aimed to describe the knowledge of the staff in the operating rooms and the central sterilization unit at Sahloul University Hospital in Sousse (Tunisia) in 2022, regarding the steps prior to the sterilization of reusable thermoresistant medical devices and to describe their practices in terms of compliance with these steps. METHOD: A descriptive study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2022 with the aforementioned staff, using a self-administered questionnaire to assess their knowledge of the pre-sterilization steps and a direct observation audit of their practices with regard to these steps. Both measurement instruments were pre-tested. RESULTS: Out of 102 self-administered questionnaires (knowledge assessment) distributed to the staff concerned, only 80 were returned and correctly filled out, giving a response rate of 78.4%. Participants' responses regarding the order of steps prior to the sterilization were incorrect in 64% of cases. With regard to the evaluation of professional practices, 224 observations were made in the study area (practice audit). In 82% of these observations, the pre-disinfection step was confused with the washing step. The use of Betadine brushes and scrubbing pads for device washing was noted in 89.3%, along with the absence of swabbing of the canals and hollow parts in 9.4% of cases and the absence of drying of the canals with compressed air. CONCLUSION: Mastery of the steps prior to sterilisation of reusable thermoresistant medical devices was insufficient in our institution, suggesting the importance of reinforcing the implementation of the procedure through a continuous training program followed by action plans.

Myxoid Liposarcoma of the Parotid Gland.

Liposarcoma is extremely rare in the parotid gland. In this article, we report the case of an 87-year-old man who presented to our department with swelling in the left parotid region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. Total parotidectomy and ipsilateral lymph node dissection were performed. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of myxoid liposarcoma of the parotid gland. On imaging, there was no evidence of nodal or distant metastasis. Radiation therapy was planned, but the patient refused to receive treatment. After a follow-up of 3 years, MRI showed no sign of tumor recurrence and the patient remained symptom-free. The case is original by the tumor's location. Only 8 cases of primary parotid liposarcoma have been reported in the literature. The purpose of this article was to discuss, through our case, clinical and anatomopathological features of parotid gland liposarcomas as well as its treatment options and prognosis.

Undifferentiated Small Round Cell Sarcoma of the Hypopharynx in a 7-Month-Old Patient.

Undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive tumor touching the soft tissues and bones. Here, we report the case of a 7-month-old girl who presented to our department with respiratory distress due to a hypopharyngeal mass causing airway obstruction. The patient underwent a tracheotomy and had a direct laryngoscopy. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma. The patient received chemotherapy and radiotherapy and underwent neck dissection. One year later, the patient was diagnosed with local recurrence as well as metastatic cervical nodes and liver and pulmonary metastases. The case is original by the tumor's location and the age of onset. To the best of our knowledge, this could be the first case in English and French literature reporting an undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma affecting the hypopharynx among infants. The purpose of this article is to report our case and discuss its clinical and anatomopathological features as well as its prognosis and treatment options.

Parapharyngeal Lymph Node Metastasis From Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Metastatic parapharyngeal lymph nodes (LNs) from papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) are uncommon and can easily remain undetected. We describe a case that involves a 62-year-old woman treated for a PTC, who presented a rise in serum thyroglobulin (TG) levels. A computed tomography scan was performed, and revealed metastatic nodes in the left parapharyngeal space (PPS). A surgical resection of the nodes was performed with external cervical approach. A histological exam confirmed the diagnosis of a metastatic LN of a PTC. The aim of this report is to emphasize on the possibility of parapharyngeal metastatic nodes in PTC and to describe the diagnosis methods, treatment options, and impact on the prognosis.