[Predictive factors for anastomotic leakage after colon cancer surgery]. / Facteurs prédictifs de fistule anastomotique après colectomie pour cancer.

Introduction: in colon cancer surgery, anastomotic fistula (AF) is considered the most feared complication. The purpose of this study was to identify predictive factors associated with anastomotic fistula after colon cancer surgical resection and to describe the impact of this complication on mortality and postoperative length of stay. Methods: we conducted a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study in the Department of General Surgery at the Habib Bourguiba Hospital in Sfax, Tunisia from 1st January 2013 to 31 December 2020. Results: we collected data from the medical records of 163 patients who had undergone surgery for colon cancer. The average age of patients was 62.7 years with a sex ratio of 1.36. The postoperative course was uneventful in 64.4% of cases and complicated in 35.6% of cases. Surgical morbidity was mainly due to anastomotic fistulas (22 patients). This study demonstrated that predictors of the development of this complication were: diabetes p = 0.04, smoking p = 0.01, hypoalbuminaemia p = 0.01, preoperative haemoglobin less than 10g/dl, p < 0.01, anastomotic fistula located in the left colonic angle p = 0.02, perioperative transfusion p <0.01, and duration of surgery longer than 180 min p = 0.04. Moreover, the occurrence of anastomotic fistula was associated with specific mortality rate (9%) and significantly prolonged postoperative length of stay. Conclusion: the prevention of anastomotic fistulas should be part of a multimodal approach based on the correction of nutritional deficiencies and possible pre-operative anemia.

[Role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis in an endemic area of Tunisia]. / Place de la laparoscopie dans le diagnostic de la tuberculose péritonéale dans une région endémique de la Tunisie.

Tuberculosis is a public health problem in Tunisia. Tataouine governorate is an endemic area. Peritoneal involvement occurs in 1 - 2% of cases. We here report a retrospective, descriptive epidemiological study of 32 patients operated in the Department of Surgery at the Tataouine Hospital between 2010 and 2020. Laparoscopy was mainly performed (28 patients) to take biopsy samples for histologic confirmation of peritoneal tuberculosis. Twenty-four women and 8 men were involved in the study, with a M/F ratio of 0.33. The median age was 43 years, ranging from 14 to 78 years. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in 28 cases (87.5%). Given the intraoperative macroscopic aspect, the diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis was strongly suspected in 16 patients (50%). The anatomopathological study confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. The purpose of this study is to highlight the epidemiological, clinical features of peritoneal tuberculosis in an endemic region of Tunisia as well as the current role of laparoscopy as a rapid and effective diagnostic procedure.

[Giant abdominal wall desmoid tumor: a case report]. / Tumeur desmoïde géante de la paroi abdominale: à propos d'un cas.

Giant desmoid tumor has been rarely reported in the literature but it is a therapeutic challenge. We here report a case of tumor manifesting as painful abdominal mass causing a major esthetic problem. Radiological assessment allowed to determine its depth extension and limits of resection. Desmoid tumor of the abdominal wall was evoked and surgically resected, with simple outcome. This study highlights challenges in the management of this entity,due to its large size.

[Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (Darier-Ferrand) of the abdomen: a case report]. / Localisation abdominale d'un dermatofibrosarcome de Darrier et Ferrand: à propos d'un cas.

Dermatofibrosarcoma is a rare skin tumor. Morphological characteristics can be misleading and unknown to most of physicians. Diagnostic delay may affect patient´s management and prognosis. We here report the case of a young patient with lesions protruding from the abdominal wall mistaken for benign cysts. X-ray examination revealed subcutaneous adipose tissue mass. This was suspected of being a fibrosarcoma. The mass was resected with a macroscopic safety margin. The anatomo-pathological study confirmed the diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma. Clinical and radiological follow-up examinations didn´t show any recurrence. This study highlights the importance of suspecting this rare tumor requiring specialist treatment.