[Video-laparoscopic diagnosis and follow-up of a peritoneal tuberculosis]. / Diagnostic et suivi vidéolaparoscopique d'une tuberculose péritonéale.

A 21-year-old woman suffering from abdominal pain and a fever of 39 degrees C was hospitalized. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic scan showed a large amount of ascites and one hepatic node. The serum CA 125 level was elevated. Protein Chain Reaction (PCR) searching tuberculosis antigen in ascitic fluid was normal. A diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis was supposed and an exploratory laparoscopic procedure performed. Peroperative observation of the ascites, with multiple sites of adhesion, and pathological examination of the hepatic nodule and peritoneum confirmed initial diagnosis. Antituberculous treatment was given for one year. A second laparoscopic procedure was performed and found no disease remaining.

[Surgical treatment of anterior rectoceles in women. The perioneal-vaginal approach]. / Traitement chirurgical de la rectocèle antérieure de la femme. La voie périnéovaginale.

Rectoceles are best repaired via a perineal approach. The transperineovaginal approach provides access to the outer side of the rectocele: the rectal hernia is repaired with two or three purse-string sutures and suture of the rectal fascia. Levatorplasty, performed without narrowing of the vagina, reinforces the repair and strengthens the lax pelvic floor. Unilateral sacro-spinofixation of the vagina is a useful adjunct to restore normal anatomy. Rectocele repair via a perineovaginal approach has a low morbidity rate and achieves good functional results. Concomitant sphincteroplasty may be performed in the case of symptomatic rupture of the anal sphincter, treating as well urinary incontinence or prolapse of the uterus. Surgery is indicated in symptomatic rectocele when retraining the pelvic floor by biofeedback and medical therapy have failed to relieve symptoms. There are no clear predictive factors of outcome and the patient must be informed about the risk of persisting symptoms or failure.

Predictive factors for node involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Univariate and multivariate analyses.

For patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, lymph node involvement is a common complication, resulting in node dissection and its resulting morbidity. To determine means of limiting lymph node dissections, we attempted to define intra-operative criteria predictive of node metastasis and so identify the patients likely to benefit from this procedure. This retrospective study concerned 158 patients (118 female) treated between 1974 and 1996 for papillary thyroid carcinoma by total thyroidectomy associated with bilateral (central and lateral) (n = 119) or unilateral (n = 39) dissection. The following criteria were used to study the predictive value of node involvement: age, sex, tumour size, tumour site, uni- or multifocality, existence or not of a tumour capsule, existence or not of perithyroid involvement and presence or not of vascular invasion. 99 patients (63%) had node involvement. Four factors showed predictive value for node involvement in univariate analysis: vascular invasion (P = 0.02), male sex (P = 0.008), absence of a tumour capsule (P < 0.0001) and perithyroid involvement (P < 0.0001). Two factors were predictive in multivariate analysis: absence of a tumour capsule and perithyroid involvement. Our results enabled us to calculate the risk of node involvement for each patient as a function of the existence of a peritumoral capsule and/or perithyroid involvement and to determine the indication for dissection. When neither of these factors was present, the risk of node involvement was 38.3% and dissection was not considered essential. If both risk factors were found, the risk was 87.1% and dissection was considered necessary.

[Severe pancreaticoduodenal trauma: review of a series of 30 patients]. / Traumatismes fermés duodéno-pancréatiques sévères. A propos d'une série de 30 patients.

Retrospective study of a series of 30 patients (mean age: 25.5 years), including 8 children with severe duodenopancreatic trauma, treated over a period of 15 years. This series consisted of 14 cases of duodenal perforation, 3 cases of duodenal haematoma, 11 cases of isolated pancreatic lesions (including 5 isthmic ruptures) and 2 cases of associated duodenal and pancreatic lesions. Injuries were due to road accidents in 60% of cases. Eight patients were considered to have multiple injuries. Twelve patients required emergency surgery. Eighteen were observed in a surgical unit. Two duodenal haematomas were operated. Duodenal perforations were operated urgently in 8 cases and electively in 6 cases. The surgical procedure consisted of simple suture (n = 3), suture combined with diversion (n = 7), or resection-anastomosis (n = 4). Five patients with pancreatic contusion were operated, in a context of acute pancreatitis in four cases and for associated lesions in one case. Isthmic ruptures were treated by left pancreatic resection. This was a rare lesion (1.8 to 9% of organ lesions). Duodenal haematomas justify first-line medical treatment, while duodenal perforations must be operated. The presence of a lesion of the pancreatic duct frequently justifies pancreatic resection.

[Tumoral rupture in the intrahepatic biliary tracts: a rare manifestation of hepatocellular carcinoma]. / Rupture tumorale dans les voies biliaires intra-hépatiques révélation rare d'un carcinome hépatocellulaire.

We report one case of unrecognized primary liver tumor revealed by intra biliary system migration of free floating debris and hemobilia. A 64-year-old man presented an isolated jaundice. Ultrasound, computed tomography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography are suggestive a cholangiocarcinoma. Operative intervention demonstrated hepatocellular emboli to common bile duct causing obstruction.