[Digestive stomas: which professional impact?] / Les stomies digestives: quel impact professionnel?

INTRODUCTION: digestive stomas result from a certain number of surgical interventions. They may be temporary or definitive. The patient with stoma has potentially damaging physical and psychological problems. Therefore patient´s adaptation to the changes and acceptance of this temporary or permanent situation is essential. This study aims to assess the impact of intestinal stomas on patients´ quality of life and professional life. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective study from January 2010 to December 2014. During the study period, 115 patients had intestinal stomas. Among these patients, sixty were of working age, had a fixed employment and had resumed their work; they made up the study population. Data were collected using a specific questionnaire: the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health questionnaire conducted in the post-operative period. RESULTS: the average score for the overall quality of life for patients with stoma was 41. Forty patients had poor quality of life with a score SF-36 less than 50. Our study showed that patients with stoma experienced difficulties at work. Forty-eight patients reported discomfort directly linked to stoma during their professional activities. The causes mentioned were physical in 6 cases and psychological in 3 cases. Six patients were moved into more adapted working positions. CONCLUSION: the management of patients with digestive stomas should aim to an adequate social and professional reintegration. This can only be done by involving the occupational physician, the psychologist, the stoma therapist and the associations.

Recommandations of the Tunisian Association of Surgery for the practice of visceral surgery during COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Health Organization declared on March 11, 2020 that the COVID-19 epidemic has become a pandemic. In Tunisia, the Ministry of Health has recommended enhanced preventive hygiene measures to contain and limit the spread of the virus. Following the entry of Tunisia into phase 4 of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Tunisian Association of Surgery proposed recommendations related to surgical activity. Surgical emergencies must be treated urgently and without delay. Non-tumor pathologies which require surgery in an elective situation and for which the risk of aggravation or complication is considered low shoud be postponed. For digestive tumor pathology, and apart from complicated forms, neoadjuvant treatment is highly recommended in the context of multidisciplinary concertation staff.

[Strangled rectal prolapse in young adults: about a case and review of the literature]. / Prolapsus rectal étranglé de l'adulte jeune: à propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

Rectal prolapse is a rectal static disorder which involves rectal wall intussusception inducing its externalization through the anus. It usually affects children and the elderly. Its occurrence in young adults is rare. Strangulated rectal prolapse is also a rare complication. We report the case of a 30-year old patient who underwent emergency surgery for strangulated rectal prolapse. Emergency perineal rectosigmoidectomy (Altemeier repair) was performed with simple outcome.

Unexpected Histopathological Findings in Appendectomy Specimens: a Retrospective Study of 1627 Cases.

Pathologic evaluation of the appendix after appendectomy is routine and can occasionally identify unexpected findings. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence and type of pathologic diagnoses found in appendectomy specimens at our institution. The clinicopathological data of 1627 patients who underwent appendectomies for presumed acute appendicitis from January 2008 to October 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 986 men and 641 women (sex ratio M/F = 1.5) aged between 16 months and 90 years (mean = 30 years). All patients underwent appendectomy (either open or laparoscopic). Histological examination of the surgical specimen showed acute inflammation of the appendix in 1455 cases (89.42 %), fibrosed appendix in 37 cases (2.27 %), and Enterobius vermicularis (n = 23). In 101 cases (6.2 %), the appendix was histologically normal. Incidental unexpected pathological diagnoses were noted in 57 appendectomy specimens. They included pinworm (n = 23), mucinous neoplasms (n = 12), neuroendocrine tumors (NET) (n = 8), adenocarcinoma (n = 2), granulomatous inflammation (n = 5), tuberculosis (n = 2), hyperplastic polyp (n = 1), tubular adenoma (n = 1), diverticulitis (n = 1), endometriosis (n = 1), and actinomycosis (n = 1). The routine histopathological examination of the appendix is of value for identifying unsuspected conditions requiring further postoperative management. Gross examination alone does not appear to be a good indicator of an unexpected finding on microscopic exam. It is recommended that in order to avoid misdiagnoses, all appendices should be histopathologically examined.

[Laparoscopy for perfored duodenal ulcer : conversion and morbidity factors: retrospective study of 290 cases]. / Laparoscopie pour ulcère duocènal perforé: facteurs prédictifs de conversion et de morbidité: etude retrospective à propos de 290 cas.

BACKGROUND: feasibility and advantages of laparoscopic approach in performed duodenal ulcer have no longer to be demonstrated. Laparoscopic suture and peritoneal cleaning expose to a conversion rate between 10 and 23%. However less than laparotomy, morbidity of this approach is not absent. AIM: This study aim to analyze factors exposing to conversion after laparoscopic approach of perforred duodenal ulcer. We also aim to define the morbidity of this approach and predictive factors of this morbidity Methods: Retrospective descriptive study was conducted referring all cases of perforated duodenal ulcer treated laparoscopically over a period of ten years, running from January 2000 to December 2010. All patients were operated by laparoscopy with or without conversion. We have noted conversion factors. A statistical analysis with logistic regression was performed whenever we have sought to identify independent risk factors for conversion verified as statistically significant in univariante. The significance level was set at 5%. Analytic univariant and multivariant study was performed to analyze morbidity factors. RESULTS: 290 patients were included. The median age was 34ans.T he intervention was conducted completely laparoscopically in 91.4% of cases. The conversion rate was 8.6%. It was selected as a risk factor for conversion: age> 32 years, a known ulcer, progressive pain, renal function failure, a difficult peritoneal lavage and having a chronic ulcer. Postoperative morbidity was 5.1%. Three independent risk factors of surgical complications were selected: renal failure, age> 45 years, and a chronic ulcer appearance. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic treatment of perforred duodenal ulcer expose to a conversion risk. Morbidity is certainly less than laparotomy and a better Knowledge of predictif's morbidity factors become necessary for a better management of this disease.

The Budd-Chiari syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The Budd-Chiari syndrome is a rare disease, often fatal if not treated optimally. It is characterized by a blocked hepatic venous outflow tract. aim: This review attempted to present pathophysiology, aetiologies,diagnosis and therapeutic modalities of the Budd-Chiari syndrome. METHODS: Review of literature. RESULTS: Budd-Chiari syndrome is a complex disease with a wide spectrum of aetiologies and presentations. Hematologic abnormalities, particularly myeloproliferative disorders, are the most common causes of the Budd-Chiari syndrome. The clinical presentation is governed by the extent and rapidity of the hepatic vein occlusion. Doppler-ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of hepatic veins and inferior vena cava are usually successful in demonstrating non-invasively the obstacle or its consequences. A therapeutic strategy has been proposed where anticoagulation, correction of risk factors, diuretics and prophylaxis for portal hypertension are used first; then angioplasty for shortlength venous stenosis; then Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS); and ultimately liver transplantation. Treatment progression is dictated by the response to previous therapy. This strategy has achieved 5-year survival rates approaching 70%. Medium-term prognosis depends on the severity of liver disease. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of the Budd-Chiari syndrome must be considered in any patients with acute or chronic liver disease. Management of this syndrome should follow a step by step strategy.

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas in a young patient with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy of the pancreas arising from acinar cells. Unlike ductal adenocarcinoma, this tumor rarely presents with pancreatitis. METHODS: We present a case of ACC associated with chronic calcifying pancreatitis, and a review of the literature focusing on diagnosis and management. RESULTS: A 43-year-old man was proposed for Wirsungojejunal derivation for chronic pancreatitis. Histopathological examination of the tissue extracted revealed an ACC. Duodenopancreatectomy was performed. Six months post-operatively, the patient developed hepatic metastasis and was treated with gemcitabine as palliative chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation of ACC of the pancreas is not specific and the tumor can be under-diagnosed when associated with chronic pancreatitis. Data regarding course, treatment, and prognosis of this tumor are generally lacking.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the elderly over 80 years: a case report.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of elderly patients have been considered for major surgical procedures, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy. The decision to recommend this operation for localized pancreatic cancer or other periampullary process in a very elderly patient is complicated by the frailty of the patient and the poor prognosis of the disease. Moreover, increased surgical experience associated with better patient selection may reduce the mortality rate, even in very elderly patients (over 80 years of age), after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: An 84-year-old woman underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma. The tumor was classified pT3N0M0. RESULT: A good postoperative outcome was obtained. The patient is still alive, 18 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Radical resection of periampullary tumors is safe in selected patients of advanced age, with morbidity and mortality rates approaching those observed in younger patients. Age alone should not be a contraindication for pancreatic resection.

[Value of admission for observation in the management of acute abdominal right iliac fossa pain. Prospective study of 205 cases]. / Douleurs aiguës de la fosse iliaque droite: intérêt de la surveillance clinique hospitalière. Etude prospective de 205 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Because of the potential severity of acute appendicitis, many authors recommend the broad use of appendectomy. In this case, 15 to 20% of appendectomies are ultimately found to have been unnecessary. Hospital observation with repeated clinical and laboratory exams can be useful for patients with atypical clinical presentation. This paper assesses our approach, in which some patients with pain in the right iliac fossa (RIF) are admitted for observation before a decision about appendectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients (205 cases) admitted from March 2002 through February 2003 for acute abdominal pain of the RIF were included in this prospective study. The 120 women and 85 men (sex ratio=0.7) had a mean age of 27 years. We classified the patients into 3 groups: those who had an emergency appendectomy, those who had surgery after an observation period, and those discharged without appendectomy after observation. RESULTS: The first group included 110 patients: 63% had a (rectal) temperature greater than 38 degrees C; 44% had guarding of the RIF and 87% elevated white blood cell counts (>10000/mm3). At surgery, appendicitis was diagnosed in 92%. After a mean delay of 36 hours of observation, 50 of the patients in the second group underwent surgery: 44% with (rectal) temperature > 38 degrees C, RIF guarding in 8%, and elevated white blood cell count (>10000/mm3) in 74%. In this group, 94% were diagnosed with appendicitis during surgery. Forty-five patients were discharged without surgery after 36 hours of observation. COMMENTARY: In this study, pain and RIF guarding, associated with temperature greater than 38 degrees C and elevated white blood cell counts, were predictive of appendicitis in 96% of cases. Admission for observation of patients with atypical presentation avoided 45 unnecessary appendectomies (22%).

[Isolated splenic metastasis revealing colon cancer]. / Métastase splénique isolée révélant un cancer du colon.

Splenic metastasis of colon cancer is uncommon especially when isolated. In fact, they are usually associated to multi visceral location. Malignant melanoma, cancer of breast and lung and ovarian carcinoma are the most common cancer which metastases in spleen. Splenic metastasis of colon cancer is rare and exceptionally isolated. Ten cases of isolated splenic metastasis in colon cancer are reported in literature. We report a new case of intra splenic kystic metastasis revealing an asymptomatic sigmoid cancer in a 63 years old patient.