Lithopedion as a factor in post-traumatic intestinal perforation.

Lithopedion is a rare condition secondary to retention and calcification of an unrecognized intra-abdominal (usually ectopic) pregnancy after a fetal death, which occurred after three months of gestation. It accounts for 1.5%-2% of cases of ectopic pregnancy. We report the case of a 72-year-old nulligravida woman who died about 72 h after being kicked in the abdomen during a fight. At autopsy, an intra-abdominal calcified fetus, acute generalized peritonitis, and ileal perforation were observed. The estimated gestational age of the fetus was 37 weeks (based on femur length) and the lithopedion had a weight of 750 g and a size of 15 × 12 × 9 cm. The age of menopause and the duration of retention are not known. This is the first case of this entity identified in Senegal.

Neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies with the first twin in breech presentation according to the mode of delivery: A cohort study from Dakar Senegal.

The objectives of this study were to compare perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies where the first twin was in the breech presentation. To do so, we performed a 10-year retrospective cohort study in a single university center. All patients with a twin pregnancy with the first twin in breech presentation, a gestational age greater than or equal to 34 weeks' gestation, and a birth weight <= 1500 g were included. The main outcome measures were 5-minute Apgar score <7 and perinatal mortality. We included 353 pairs of twins which complied with the inclusion criteria. One hundred and fifty (150) patients delivered vaginally while 203 pairs of twins were delivered by caesarean section. Patients who delivered abdominally were similar to those who delivered vaginally with regard to age, parity, and gestational age. Six twins A delivered vaginally and 2 delivered by caesarean section had an Apgar score < 7 (p = 0.76) whereas 12 twins B delivered vaginally and 2 delivered abdominally had an Apgar score <7 (p = 0.001). Perinatal mortality did not differ significantly between twins delivered abdominally and those delivered vaginally. There was no evidence that vaginal delivery was risky with regards to depressed Apgar scores for Twin A and neonatal mortality for breech first twins that weighed at least 1500 g. However, Twin B delivered vaginally were more likely to present with a low 5-minute Apgar score. Along with the literature, the findings of this study do not currently allow to define a consensual obstetric attitude towards management of breech first twin deliveries. Until more prospective multicenter randomized controlled studies shed light on this problem, the skills, experience and judgment of the obstetrician will play a major role in the decision-making process.

Neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies with the first twin in breech presentation according to the mode of delivery: A cohort study from Dakar Senegal

The objectives of this study were to compare perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies where the first twin was in the breech presentation. To do so, we performed a 10-year retrospective cohort study in a single university center. All patients with a twin pregnancy with the first twin in breech presentation, a gestational age greater than or equal to 34 weeks' gestation, and a birth weight >= 1500 g were included. The main outcome measures were 5-minute Apgar score <7 and perinatal mortality. We included 353 pairs of twins which complied with the inclusion criteria. One hundred and fifty (150) patients delivered vaginally while 203 pairs of twins were delivered by caesarean section. Patients who delivered abdominally were similar to those who delivered vaginally with regard to age, parity, and gestational age. Six twins A delivered vaginally and 2 delivered by caesarean section had an Apgar score < 7 (p = 0.76) whereas 12 twins B delivered vaginally and 2 delivered abdominally had an Apgar score <7 (p = 0.001). Perinatal mortality did not differ significantly between twins delivered abdominally and those delivered vaginally. There was no evidence that vaginal delivery was risky with regards to depressed Apgar scores for Twin A and neonatal mortality for breech first twins that weighed at least 1500 g. However, Twin B delivered vaginally were more likely to present with a low 5-minute Apgar score. Along with the literature, the findings of this study do not currently allow to define a consensual obstetric attitude towards management of breech first twin deliveries. Until more prospective multicenter randomized controlled studies shed light on this problem, the skills, experience and judgment of the obstetrician will play a major role in the decision-making process. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[5]: 50-56).

[Unadjusted and customized fetal growth curves: a comparative study in a sub-Saharan population]. / Courbes de croissance fœtale non ajustées et personnalisées: une étude comparative dans une population du Sud du Sahara.

The purpose of this study was to compare the unadjusted EPOPé M0 curve with the customized Gardosi curve in the diagnosis of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses in a sub-Saharan population. We compared the Gardosi et al. and EPOPé M0 classifications. Classification differences were analyzed according to patient characteristics and obstetric conditions. Data collected from FileMaker software were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 and R Studio software. The statistical tests were carried out according to applicability conditions. Alpha risk was set at 0.05. The Gardosi curve showed that the rate of SGA newborns was higher (31.4% versus 28.9%) and did not differ between overweight and normal-weight women. The rate of severe SGA in preterm infants was also higher (23.6 versus 19.7%). Diseases were more frequent in newborns classified as severe SGA by the customized growth curve. The customized curve is recommended for the sub-Saharan Africa population.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: a report from a sub-Saharan African country, Senegal.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pregnancy in Senegal. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study of all cases of COVID-19 including nine pregnant women who were admitted in COVID-19 treatment centers in Senegal from March 2 to May 15, 2020. SARS-COV-2 infection was confirmed by PCR. Patients' characteristics, clinical features, treatment and outcome were obtained with a customized data collection form. RESULTS: The frequency of the association COVID-19 and pregnancy was 0.5%. The age range of the patients was 18-42 years with an average 28 years, and the range of gestational weeks at admission was 7 weeks to 32 weeks. None of the patients had underlying diseases. All the patients presented with a headache and only four of them had fever. Other symptoms were also observed: two patients had a cough, two had rhinorrhea, and two patients reported poor appetite. The median time to recovery was 13.6 days, corresponding to the number of days in hospital. None of the nine pregnant women developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia or died. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women appear to have the same contamination predispositions and clinical features of SARS-COV-2 infection as the general population. This study shows no evidence that pregnant women are more susceptible to infection with coronavirus.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: a report from a sub-Saharan African country, Senegal

Introduction: to investigate the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pregnancy in Senegal. Methods: this was a cross-sectional and descriptive study of all cases of COVID-19 including nine pregnant women who were admitted in COVID-19 treatment centers in Senegal from March 2 to May 15, 2020. SARS-COV-2 infection was confirmed by PCR. Patients' characteristics, clinical features, treatment and outcome were obtained with a customized data collection form. Results: the frequency of the association COVID-19 and pregnancy was 0.5%. The age range of the patients was 18-42 years with an average 28 years, and the range of gestational weeks at admission was 7 weeks to 32 weeks. None of the patients had underlying diseases. All the patients presented with a headache and only four of them had fever. Other symptoms were also observed: two patients had a cough, two had rhinorrhea, and two patients reported poor appetite. The median time to recovery was 13.6 days, corresponding to the number of days in hospital. None of the nine pregnant women developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia or died. Conclusion: pregnant women appear to have the same contamination predispositions and clinical features of SARS-COV-2 infection as the general population. This study shows no evidence that pregnant women are more susceptible to infection with coronavirus

[Benign tumors of the breast in the department of senology at the University Hospital Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar (Senegal)]. / Tumeurs bénignes du sein à l'unité de sénologie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar (Sénégal).

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of benign tumors of the breast treated in the department of senology at the university hospital Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of 220 patients treated in the Department of Senology at the University Hospital Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar over the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013. RESULTS: 220 patients out of 984 consultants had benign tumor of the breast (22.5%). Benign tumors of the breast accounted for 58.2% of tumor pathologies. The average age was 24 years. The age group 11-30 years was the most represented (70%). The quasi-totality of patients were women of childbearing age (95%), 58.6% were nulliparous women. The main reason for consultation was a breast mass in 94.5% of cases. The left side was most often affected (49.5%), especially the upper outer quadrant (41.6%). 145 patients (65.9% of cases) underwent ultrasound. Cytologic examination showed conjunctival epithelial hyperplasia in almost all cases (96.1%). 44 women underwent histologic examination, which confirmed the histologic nature of the lesions. Fibroadenoma and fibrocystic changes were the most retained diagnoses, accounting for 86.3% and 5.9% respectively. 28 patients (12.7%) underwent lumpectomy, all tumor types were taken together. The majority of patients had follow-up appointments within 3 months, with favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Benign tumors are very frequent in senology consultations. The recommended diagnostic approach combines the clinico-radio-cytological triad and, in case of doubt or discrepancy, biopsy or surgical resection are essential. Surgery is not always the treatment of choice. This is based on the nature of the tumor.

Surgical Treatment of Complication of Female Genital Mutilation in Pikine Hospital, Senegal.

We share our experience on reconstructive for surgery female genital mutilation. This is a retrospective study of all cases of female genital mutilation surgery performed in Pikine National Hospital. We have reviewed the various indications and surgical techniques used. We collected 8 cases of clitoral cyst and 6 cases of closed vaginal opening. The surgery of clitoral cysts was to perform cystectomy followed by nymphoplasty. The closing of the vaginal opening required defibulation together with clitoroplasty according to the wishes of the patient. The anatomical and functional outcomes were satisfactory. Female genital mutilation surgery requires a good knowledge of vulvar anatomy. The various surgical indications must meet the expectations of patients to guarantee their satisfaction.

Fatal Cases of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia in a National Trophoblastic Disease Reference Center in Dakar Senegal.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to analyze deaths after gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and to determine the factors of treatment failure. METHODS: This is a retrospective study in Aristide Le Dantec teaching Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2014. We took into account socio-epidemiological characteristics of patients, initial diagnosis, time between uterine evacuation and admission, time to onset of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), treatment received (deadlines, protocols), difficulties experienced in the diagnosis and the initiation of treatment and survival. RESULTS: In total, 1044 patients were admitted during the study period; 164 cases of GTN were diagnosed (15.7%); and 21 deaths occurred leading to a specific lethality of 12.8%. The average age was 30 years. Almost all patients (n = 18; 85.7%) had low income or no income. Eight out of 21 patients (38.1%) were seen in our department after GTN onset. The mean time to onset of GTN of all patients was 22.1 weeks. For 66.6%, histology was not available; the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole was made on the clinical history and sonographic features and GTN on human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) evolution and ultrasound findings. None of the patients had regular chemotherapy due to financial reasons. Patients who died within 3 months after diagnosis had metastatic tumors (7 of 21). All these women had resistance to treatment or progressed after three courses of chemotherapy. Ten of the 12 women with high-risk GTN were not treated with multi-agent chemotherapy (EMA-CO) for purely financial reasons. CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: The high incidence and mortality require a profound reorganization of our health system and a high awareness of practitioners to refer to time or to declare all suspected cases of hydatidiform mole or gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcome of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia in a Low Resource Income Country.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a disease of the proliferative trophoblastic allograft. Diagnosis and treatment of GTN in low resource-income countries is challenging due to numerous factors. The objective of this study was to review outcomes of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in women of low socioeconomic status with limited resources and social support. METHODS: This study was performed at Gynecologic and Obstetric Clinic of Dakar Teaching Hospital, the reference Centre of Gestational trophoblastic diseases in Senegal from 2006 to 2015. RESULTS: Out of 1088 patients followed for gestational trophoblastic disease during the study period, 108 patients were diagnosed and treated for GTN: 88 low-risk and 20 high-risk. Low-risk patients received an average of 6.9 cycles of initial single-agent chemotherapy. Twelve patients had persistent disease and were switched to a second line multi-agent chemotherapy. Finally 94.3% of low-risk patients achieved remission. All high-risk patients were initially treated with multi-agent chemotherapy, averaging 7 cycles. Five of the eighty-eight low-risk patients and twelve of the 20 high-risk patients died of disease. CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Early adequate treatment ensures an excellent prognosis for patients with GTN. In low-income countries, difficulties encountered in diagnosis and treatments worsen the prognosis of GTN patients. Clinical trials are needed to find out affordable schedules or drugs for a better treatment.

[Issues involving breast cancer management in Senegal: a cross-sectional study]. / Problématique de la prise en charge des cancers du sein au Sénégal: une approche transversale.

At a time when innovative therapies in breast cancer multiply, poorer countries such as Senegal are still lag far behind in the overall management of this type of cancer. In Senegal, although the treatment of advanced breast cancer is now well codified, survival and morbidity outcomes are still mediocre in view of diagnostic delays and of sometimes expensive and poorly tolerated mutilating treatments become necessary. With respect to advanced cancers, the challenges will lie in building of palliative care centres and in developing multidisciplinary approaches to improve quality of life and to support patients. On the other hand, with respect to preclinical or potentially curable cancers, the challenges are immense given the importance of early detection, localisation and diagnosis (stereotactic or ultrasound guided biopsy) but also of precision surgery and of complete resection (indexing - excision ensuring a margin of healthy tissue and specimen radiograph) while minimizing complications such as those of classic dissection (sentinel lymph node biopsy). Our health structures are not always prepared to achieve these goals. This is a situational analysis of the contextual obstacles that still exist and add a burden on the overall management of breast cancer in Senegal.

Apport de l'echographie dans le diagnostic de l'engagement de la tete foetale au cours du travail

Objectifs : Evaluer la sensibilite et la specificite de l'echographie transperineale par rapport au toucher vaginal dans le diagnostic d'engagement de la tete foetale au cours du travail.Patientes et Methodes : Etude pilote prospective et descriptive menee a la maternite du CHN de Pikine; durant la periode allant du 01 Mars au 30 Juin 2012. Toute parturiente admise respectant les criteres d'inclusion avait beneficie a la fois d'un examen vaginal et d'une echographie transperineale afin de definir la notion d'engagement. Une distance seuil inferieure ou egale a 60 mm entre le perinee et la tete foetale avait ete retenue comme signe echographique de l'engagement Resultats : L'evaluation conjointe etait realisee chez 55 parturientes. L'age moyen etait de 26 ans; la parite moyenne de 1;47. L'echographie avait permis de poser le diagnostic d'engagement de la presentation avec une sensibilite de 93;1% et une valeur predictive positive de 81;25%. La specificite de cette exploration etait de 76;92% avec une valeur predictive negative de 90;91%. Le toucher vaginal permettait de predire l'accouchement par voie basse dans 96;4% des cas contre 77;2% pour l'echographie. Conclusion : Le toucher vaginal est un parametre subjectif et peut etre limite dans certaines situations (bosse sero-sanguine; oedeme vulvaire) et l'echographie peut s'averer interessante. L'echographie transperineale parait simple et reproductible. Une valeur seuil de 60 mm revet une bonne sensibilite et une bonne valeur predictive negative pour le diagnostic d'engagement. La diffusion de la technique doit aller de pair avec la vulgarisation de l'echographie en salle de travail dans les maternites de notre pays afin de valider cette technique sur un echantillon beaucoup plus significatif

[Sexual abuse in Ziguinchor, Senegal: epidemiology and management]. / Abus sexuels dans une zone reculée du seud du Sénégal: épidemiologie et prise en charge.

AIMS: To determine the frequency of sexual abuse, establish the demographic profile and to evaluate the care of victims of sexual abuse in Ziguinchor. METHODS: That is a retrospective, descriptive study from February 1, 2008 to August 31, 2010, including all patients received in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ziguinchor Regional hospital for sexual abuse. For each patient, data analyzed were sociodemographic data, characteristics of aggression, clinical implications and psychological support. The data were entered and analyzed using the Excel 2003 version. RESULTS: 50 cases of sexual abuse were collected on 4950 patients, a prevalence of 1%. The average age of victims was 13 years (range: 3 to 23 years). The abuse took place in the day in 60% of cases. The location was familiar to victims in 70% of cases. The notion of penetrative genital contact was reported in 74% of victims. Physical force or a weapon was used in 34% of cases. The offender was 30 years old in 86% and operated alone in 92% of cases. Half of the victims had consulted in the first 24 hours. Genital trauma was found in 82% of victims. Feelings of fear, shame, or anger was observed in 64% of patients. Antibiotic was prescribed in two-thirds of the victims as postexposure prophylaxis for HIV was performed in only five patients. Emergency contraception was prescribed in 34% of victims. Six pregnancies were recorded. Six patients had developed complications such as depressive syndrome, hysteria with severe epileptiform seizures, mood disorder and psychosis. A proportion of 26% of victims did not consider it necessary to have recourse to justice. CONCLUSION: The management of a victim of sexual abuse should not stop at a forensic evaluation. We must therefore endeavor to provide a solution to three important consultation which are medical care, legal and emotional.

[Impact of AQUASOU: a practice-based research program at the Rufisque Health Centre, Senegal]. / Impact d'AQUASOU: un programme de recherche-action au Centre de Santé de Rufisque, Sénégal.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the inadequacy of preventive strategies to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, the current priority concerns emergency obstetric and neonatal care, as defined in the Improvement of the Quality and Access to Emergency Obstetric Healthcare programme (AQUASOU). The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the AQUASOU programme on improved availability and quality of healthcare in the Rufisque Health District in Senegal. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a qualitative and operational descriptive study evaluating the activities of the AQUASOU programme between May 2004 and December 2007: observation of Prenatal Consultations, supervision of emergency care, organization of "mirror meetings" and medical evacuation audits. The periods before and after setting-up of the programme were compared. RESULTS: These various activities had a real impact on indicators of accessibility and availability of healthcare. A consultation framework based on the principle of feedback control and a "practice review" approach allowed an improvement of the quality of care. The number of deliveries increased by 60%. The annual surgical activity was increased sevenfold and the number of evacuations to more specialised structures was decreased (0.4% versus 9.6%), while evacuations admitted to the local structure increased. The maternal mortality rate decreased from 656 to 435 per 100,000 live births. The stillbirth rate decreased from 51 to 56 per thousand. The leading causes of death were bleeding complications (mortality of 3.7%) and paroxysmal complications of hypertension (mortality of 2.7%).

Spontaneous Uterine Rupture of an Unscarred Uterus before Labour.

Uterine rupture is a public health problem in developing countries. When it is spontaneous, it occurs most often during labor in a context of scarred uterus. Uterine rupture during pregnancy is a rare situation. The diagnosis is not always obvious and morbidity and maternal and fetal mortality is still high. We report a case of spontaneous uterine rupture during pregnancy at 35 weeks of an unscarred uterus before labour. This is an exceptional case that we observe for the first time in our unit.

[Results of gynecologic laparoscopy in the Central University Hospital (CHU) of Dakar: prospective series of 128 cases]. / Premiers résultats de la cœlioscopie gynécologique au Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) de Dakar : série prospective de 128 cas.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the results of, and to evaluate, gynaecologic laparoscopy in Dakar Teaching Hospital. METHODS: This exploratory and descriptive study deals with a continuous series of 128 gynaecologic laparoscopies carried out between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2009. In each operative case, sociodemographic and clinical parameters,operative data, and outcomes were studied. RESULTS: Laparoscopies represented 14.37% of the programmed operative activities. The average age of the patients was 32 years,and the average parity was 1.2. The interventions were most frequently undertaken because of infertility (78.9%). A history of pelvic infections was found in 39.8% of the cases. The most frequent pathologies were tubal anomalies (70% of infertility cases) followed by ovarian cysts (10.1%) and endometriosis. The operative interventions included adhesiolysis in 35.1% of cases,and tubal surgery in 30.4%. A conversion, necessary in 7% of cases, was necessitated by the extent of adhesions (3 cases),the treatment of an associated pathology (4 cases), or a technical difficulty (2 cases).The main complications were vascular wounds and uterine perforations. The average operating times for diagnostic and operative laparoscopies were 56 minutes and 107 minutes,respectively. Outcomes were simple in 91.8% of cases. During the immediate postoperative period, a death occurred due to an acute pneumopathy. The average length of hospital stay was 3 days. We observed a pregnancy rate of 4.6%. Assisted reproduction was indicated in 28.7% of infertility cases. CONCLUSION: Given its many advantages, diagnostic and operative laparoscopy must be integrated and developed by gynaecology departments in developing countries. This necessity is emphasized by the prevalence of tubal infertility of infectious origins, which, if diagnosed and treated early by laparoscopy,could have a better prognosis.