Epidemiological, clinical and prognosis aspects of acute generalized peritonitis in South-Kivu Province: descriptive observational study of 278 cases.

Introduction: the aim was to determine epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of acute generalized peritonitis (AGP). Methods: we conducted an observational, cross-sectional and multicentre study over 2 years of 278 cases of acute generalized peritonitis operated in semi-urban and urban hospitals in South-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Results: the population of this study was young with a mean age was 28.9 ± 16.1 years with extremes of 1.3 years to 80 years with a sex ratio M: F of 0.8. Peritonitis aetiology was dominated by intestinal perforation 132 cases (47.4%), the admission time in 65, 5% was more than 72 hours. Acute abdominal pain was the most reason for consultation in 93.2% of cases, 11.9% of patients were in hypovolemic shock. In 40.6%, the treatment of patients consisted in intestinal resection with terminal anastomosis, or ileostomy in 32.7%. About the outcomes, 32.4% of the patients had a surgical reoperation and 15.8% of the digestive fistulas were reported. The average duration of the hospitalization was 23.4 ± 20.3 days. Morbidity rate was 14.7%. Conclusion: the AGP remains one of the abdominal emergencies observed in different semi-urban and urban hospitals of the province of South-Kivu, causing some problems of medical and surgical management, starting from the delay of admission, the severity of the symptoms related to the etiology of the intestinal perforation. In all cases, AGP requires a well-executed resuscitation procedure and surgical technique to improve the prognosis and reduce mortality, which seems to be high in this study.

Vulnerability of African Neurosurgery to Predatory Journals: An Electronic Survey of Aspiring Neurosurgeons, Residents, and Consultants.

BACKGROUND: Predatory journals (PJs) publish research with little to no rigorous peer review in exchange for money. It is unclear what proportion of researchers is vulnerable to PJs and which factors are associated with vulnerability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of African neurosurgery researchers to PJs and identify their correlates. METHODS: A 3-part electronic survey in English and French versions was distributed via social media to African consultants and trainees from November 1 to December 1, 2021. Bivariable relationships were evaluated with χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman ρ correlation, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 101 respondents to the survey (response rate 56.1%). Respondents had mean age of 34.9 years, 82.2% were male (n = 83), 38.6% were consultant neurosurgeons (n = 39), and 33.7% were from Central Africa (n = 34). Of respondents, 66 had published ≥ 1 articles in the past, and 13 had published at least 1 article in a PJ. A PJ had contacted 34 respondents via e-mail, and 8 respondents had reviewed articles for a PJ. The Think. Check. Submit initiative and Beall's list were familiar to 19 and 13 respondents, respectively. Publication in PJs was correlated with the respondent's age (R = 0.23, P = 0.02) and total scholarly output (R = 0.38, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Young African neurosurgery researchers are vulnerable to PJs primarily because they are not familiar with the concept of PJs or how to identify them.

[Hydrocephalus in children: clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic features in four medical facilities in Lubumbashi]. / Hydrocéphalie de l'enfant: aspects clinique, paraclinique et thérapeutique dans quatre formations médicales de Lubumbashi.

Introduction: hydrocephalus is a progressive distension of the anatomical spaces (ventricles and subarachnoid space) containing the cerebrospinal fluid. It most commonly affects children. In developed countries, its prevalence and incidence are estimated between 0.9 to 1.2 per 1000 and 0.2 to 0.6 per 1000 live births respectively and between 50 000 and 100 000 new cases develop each year in the world. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic features of hydrocephalus in 4 medical facilities in Lubumbashi. Method: we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study at the University Clinics of Lubumbashi, Cinquantenaire Hospital, Sendwe General Reference Hospital and ARS Clinic from April 1st, 2015 to September 30th, 2019. Data were collected on the basis of a data collection sheet containing several study parameters including age, sex, clinical signs, birth weight, patient's history, head circumference, CT scan assessment and disease progression. Our sample consisted of 91 subjects with hydrocephalus. Result: the age group 29 days to 24 months (infant) was most commonly affected, i.e. 57.14%, with a sex ratio of 1.67 and a male predominance. The main detecting sign was macrocrania in all patients, followed by setting-sun sign in 53.85% of patients. Brain CT scan was performed in all patients and 65.92% of them had tetraventricular hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was performed in all patients. There were no deaths in the postoperative period; postoperative infectious and mechanical complications accounted for 8.79% and 4.40% respectively. The average length of stay in the hospital was 5.65 days. Conclusion: hydrocephalus is the most common reason for pediatric neurosurgery. Clinicians should focus on these results which highlight the importance of early diagnosis and proper management.

[Case study of vulvar malignant melanoma conducted at the Cinquantenaire General Hospital in Lubumbashi]. / Mélanome malin vulvaire: à propos d'un cas observé à l'Hôpital du Cinquantenaire de Lubumbashi.

Primary malignant melanoma of the female genital tract is an extremely rare tumor. It most commonly affects the vulva then the cervix and the vagina. Vulvar cancer accounts for about 1% (all sites) of melanomas. In order of frequency, it occurs in the vagina, uterus and ovary. Less than 200 cases of vulvar cancers have been described worldwide. We here report a clinical case of malignant vulvar melanoma in a 72-year-old postmenopausal woman. Partial hemivulvectomy and bilateral superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed. The postoperative course was favorable and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 15.

[Recurrent hernia of the Jean Louis Petit triangle: a case study]. / Récidive d'une hernie primaire de Jean-Louis Petit: à propos d'un cas.

Hernia of the Jean Louis Petit triangle and hernia of Grynfeltt's quadrilateral space can be classified as lumbar hernias. Its clinical diagnosis is confirmed by computed tomography and, possibly, by ultrasound or x-ray. There is a formal indication for surgery including swelling or functional discomfort but, above all, the risk of strangulation. We here report a rare case of recurrence of primary hernia of the Jean Louis Petit triangle in a 65-year old man.