Right-sided acute diverticulitis in a North African country: Presentation and management in one surgical center.

PURPOSE: Right-sided diverticulitis is a rare entity in North Africa. Therefore, it is usually misdiagnosed, and the management of cecal diverticulitis is aggressive in most cases, whereas nowadays, most studies recommend a conservative approach with promising results. This study aims to describe the presentation, management, and outcomes of right-sided diverticulitis (RSD) and to present the experience of one surgical center in Tunisia. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including all patients presented with RSD, in the Department of Surgery "A" of the Charles Nicolle Hospital between 2007 and 2021. RESULTS: Forty patients were included in our study. The mean age was 42 years with a standard deviation of 14. The sex ratio was 1.1. Only 2 patients had chronic constipation. All patients presented right-sided abdominal pain, and only 3 patients had diarrhea. Twenty one patients were diagnosed during surgery. Fourteen patients were treated successfully by conservative management. An operative procedure was performed in 26 cases: 21 had a diverticulectomy (80%), two had an ileal resection (8%), and three had a right colectomy (11.5%). No postoperative events occurred with a short hospital stay (5 ± 3 days). Follow-up showed no recurrences. CONCLUSION: Right-sided diverticulitis has a lower incidence and complication rate compared to left-sided diverticulitis. Conservative treatment has demonstrated favorable outcomes in managing RSD, although the available evidence remains limited.

A randomised clinical trial to compare octyl cyanoacrylate with absorbable monofilament sutures for the closure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy port incisions.

Tissue adhesives have gained increasing use as a possible method of wound closure. We compared the use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (OCA) or subcuticular suture in incisions sutures for the closure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy port incisions. A prospective randomised controlled trial was performed. Patients were randomised to have closure of laparoscopic port sites using either OCA or sutures. Patients were reviewed at 24 hours and returned for follow-up 1 week and 1 month after postoperatively. At these times, different wound characteristics were documented: Two tools were used to measure the cosmetic result using Hollander wound evaluation scale (HWES) and the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS). A total of 70 patients, 35 in each group were enrolled. The wounds were closed significantly faster in the OCA group (mean 229.16 [±43.7] seconds versus 258.82 [±51.7] seconds, P = .01). Statistically significant difference in favour of using OCA was found for dehiscence (17.1% versus none in the suture group, P = .025) after 1 week. However, no difference was found for wound dehiscence after 1 month. OCA and suture groups did not differ significantly on patient satisfaction. There were no differences in the percentage of wounds achieving optimal scores on the HWES (suture 85.7% versus OCA 74.2%, P = .169). Nerveless, wound evolution was judged to be significantly better in the OCA group using POSAS. Patients' median POSAS was 9.45 (6-11) and 11.43 (10-13) in the OCA and suture groups, respectively (P = .005), and surgeon's median POSAS was 9.42 (6-11) and 11.48 (10-13) in the OCA and suture groups, respectively (P = .006). N-butyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive is an acceptable technique for the closure of laparoscopic wounds with less operative time, and cosmetic results are comparable to suturing.

An unexpected cause of retroperitoneal gangrene.

Retroperitoneal Gangrene is a serious condition whose causes are many. We report three originally cases of anorectal suppuration complicated by retroperitoneal gangrene without Fournier's gangrene until there ever described in the literature. The diagnosis was made in all cases on CT because of atypical clinical presentation. The surgical approach was carried out in different ways to treat perineal and retroperitoneal lesions.

Internal transfistulary drainage for intrabiliary rupture of hydatid cyst of the liver: Analysis of the indications and the results. Report of 50 cases.

BACKGROUND: The rupture of hydatid cyst of the liver into the biliary tracts through a large fistula is one of the most difficult complications to treat. The techniques are various and each has its own morbidity. Internal transfistulary drainage is a surgical method of treatment of hydatid cysts of the liver opening in the biliary tract. AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of specific postoperative complications of this surgical technique Methods: During the period's study, 823 patients with liver hydatid cyst were operated. 86 (11 %) of them were opened in the bile ducts through a large fistula. 50 patients (58 %) had internal transfistulary drainage. RESULTS: The sex ratio was 1.6. The population was young with an average age of 40.8 years. The most frequent clinical feature of the opening in the biliary tract was acute cholangitis (42 %). The most common location of hydatid cyst was at the hepatic dome. The pericyst was flexible in only 62 % of cases. Thick pericysts were made flexible in 20% of cases and partly resection of protruding dome was made in 36 % of cases. Specific morbidity rate was 16% with no mortality. The uni and multivariate analysis had identified as risk factors for specific complications: the thick pericyst (P = 0.04), a size of the residual cavity ≥ 9cm; non visualization of the residual cavity on the post operative cholangiography was of borderline statistical significance (P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: The internal transfistulary drainage is an easy and reliable surgical technique, its morbidity is low. It's indicated in the cases of large fistula with a thin pericyst and a diameter of the residual cavity less than 09 cm. Making thick pericyst flexible is a false security for the indication of internal transfistulary drainage and the non visualization of the residual cavity on the post operative cholangiography impose more frequent control for these patients since they are at risk of complications.

Multiple bile duct stones: Comparison of two surgical techniques done at laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Biliary lithiasis is the most common surgical disease in Tunisia. Multiple bile duct stones are one of his most rare complications.It poses real problems with the best therapeutic approach. AIMS: To analyze the results of conventional surgery for multiple bile duct stones by comparing two techniques: The choledochotomy for stoneextraction followed by external biliary drainage and biliary-enteric anastomosis, to identify and to analyze the factors influencing the therapeuticchoice. METHODS: During study period spanning 16 years, 137 choledochotomy were made for multiple bile duct stones. These patients had either acholedochotomy with stone extraction and then drained through a T-tube or a biliary-enteric anastomosis. RESULTS: Preoperative diagnosis of multiple bile duct stones has been made in 32.1 % of patients. Cholangiography was found in all casesmultiple bile duct stones and had demonstrated an association with intrahepatic stones in 18.2 %. External drainage by a Kehr drain wasperformed in 39.4 % and biliary-enteric anastomosis in 60.6 %. Univariate and multivariate analysis had identified three factors significantlyassociated with external drainage: age ≤ 65 years, bile duct diameter < 15 mm and the existence of a pronounced inflammatory reaction of thecholedochal wall. No factors had influenced the choice between different bilio-enteric anastomosis techniques. These three techniques did notdiffer from the post operative morbidity (p = 0.84) or mortality (p = 58). CONCLUSION: Basing on the analysis of our series and the comparison with other series reported in the literature, we recommend biliary drainagewith a T-tube in young people under 65 years who have a little dilated bile duct, not exceeding 15mm. In patients aged over 65 years or thosewith a CBD dilated more than 15 mm, even with intrahepatic stones, in cases of distal bile duct stricture or periampullary diverticulum, biliaryentericanastomosis seems to be the safest technique.

The relationship between telomere length and clinicopathologic characteristics in colorectal cancers among Tunisian patients.

Alterations in telomere dynamics have emerged as having a causative role in carcinogenesis. Both the telomere attrition contribute to tumor initiation via increasing chromosomal instability and that the telomere elongation induces cell immortalization and leads to tumor progression. The objectives of this study are to investigate the dynamics of telomere length in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the clinicopathological parameters implicated. We measured the relative telomere length (RTL) in cancerous tissues and in corresponding peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) using quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) from 94 patients with CRC. Telomere length correlated significantly in cancer tissues and corresponding PBL (r = 0.705). Overall, cancer tissue had shorter telomeres than PBL (p = 0.033). In both cancer tissue and PBL, the RTL was significantly correlated with age groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.012, respectively). The RTL in cancer tissue was significantly longer in rectal tumors (p = 0.04) and in the late stage of tumors (p = 0.01). In PBL, the RTL was significantly correlated with the macroscopic aspect of tumors (p = 0.02). In addition, the telomere-length ratio of cancer to corresponding PBL increased significantly with late-stage groups. Shortening of the telomere was detected in 44.7%, elongation in 36.2%, and telomeres were unchanged in 19.1% of 94 tumors. Telomere shortening occurred more frequently in the early stage of tumors (p = 0.01). This study suggests that the telomere length in PBL is affected by the macroscopic aspect of tumors and that telomere length in cancer tissues is a marker for progression of CRC and depends on tumor-origin site.

[Primary necrosis of the ligamentum teres hepatis]. / Nécrose primitive du ligament rond du foie.

AIM: report a new case of primary necrosis of the ligamentum teres hepatis and discuss preoperative diagnosis strategy and therapeutic options. OBSERVATION: This is a patient of 76 years, hypertensive, who was admitted for an acute abdomen. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was referred to the poor clinical examination and amylase to six times normal. Abdominal CT scan showed a normal pancreas appearance and hypodense infiltration extended along the round ligament of the liver to the anterior abdominal wall that did not take the contrast. The patient was operated 24 hours after admission to the signs of clinical and biological severity. There was gangrene of the round ligament and the suspensory ligament of the liver. We performed a resection of all necrotic tissue and cholecystectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Primary necrosis of the round ligament of the liver is an extremely rare cause acute abdomen. Its diagnosis is difficult despite the contribution of the abdominal CT scan. Treatment is surgical.

Spontaneous gas gangrene of the lower limb in a patient with rectal cancer: A fatal diagnostic pitfall.

Spontaneous gas gangrene of lower limb is rare. It may complicate digestive cancer or neutropenia. We report a case of spontaneous gas gangrene of the lower limb complicating a rectal cancer, initially diagnosed as deep vein thrombosis. The diagnostic delay was fatal.

Extra-gonadal mature teratoma: A case report of retroperitoneal location with a literature review.

Extra-gonadal mature teratoma is a benign tumor occurring rarely in adults. The retroperitoneal localization constitutes less than 4%. Treatment consists of surgical resection. Histological examination is essential for definitive diagnosis. We reported an unusual case of mature retroperitoneal teratoma discovered in a young man with abdominal pain.

When a polyester mesh causes an enterocutaneous fistula, 30 years after its implantation.

Digestive fistula on mesh is an exceptional and late complication of hernioplasty. The type of mesh and its position are often implicated in its occurrence. Clinical presentation is multiform. Morphological examinations are essential to confirm the diagnosis, and the curative treatment remains surgical.

RADICAL VERSUS CONSERVATIVE METHODS IN ONE-STAGE PILONIDAL ABSCESS SURGERY: THE EXPERIENCE OF A TUNISIAN CENTER.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment for pilonidal abscess is the gold standard, but not yet well codified. Different techniques proposed can be conservative or radical. AIMS: The aim of our study was to compare postoperative outcomes of both methods in one-stage treatment strategy. METHODS: This is a comparative study including patients operated on for pilonidal abscess, with a satisfactory postoperative follow-up, over a period of 4 years. We looked for the occurrence of postoperative recurrence in the medical records or by interviewing reachable patients. RESULTS: We analyzed 57 patients: 33 males and 24 females. The mean age was 26.9±10 years. The type of operation was excision in 46 (81%) cases and incision in 11 (19%) cases associated with curettage in three cases and drainage in 1 case. There was no statistically significant relationship between the type of surgery and the occurrence of postoperative surgical complications (p=1) and hospital stay (p=0.4). Excision of pilonidal abscess was significantly associated with a longer time to return to activity (p=0.04). Conservative surgery was significantly associated with faster healing of the surgical wound (p<0.001). The recurrence rate was 19% in radical surgery and 54% in conservative surgery. Radical surgery was significantly associated with a lower recurrence rate than incision procedure (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Excision of pilonidal abscess was the common technique in our series, with a significantly lower rate of recurrence of the disease than after incision. However, the long convalescence following excision and the longer operating time, particularly in an emergency context, may sometimes lead to choosing conservative surgery.

An unusual localization of echinococcosis: Gallbladder hydatid cyst.

Echinococcosis is endemic in Mediterranean countries. Liver then lungs are the most affected organs. Gallbladder hydatid cyst is an exceptional localization. A 64-year-old patient was referred to our surgical outpatient department by his physician for suspicion of liver hydatid cyst based on right upper quadrant abdominal pain, associated with nausea. Physical examination showed mild tenderness of the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. A computed tomography abdominal scan showed a multivesicular cystic lesion of the segment IV measuring 9.5 × 7.5 × 13 cm with exophytic component abutting the gallbladder. The patient underwent right subcostal laparotomy. The exploration has found that the hydatid cyst is developed from the fundus of the gallbladder, without any connections or fistulas to nearby organs. A cholecystectomy was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of gallbladder echinococcosis. Primary gallbladder hydatid cysts (PGHC) is an extremely rare condition, occurring in less than 0.4% of echinococcosis localizations. After literature research of case reports, only twenty-three such cases, including our case, have been reported in English literature. Due to its uncommon nature, radiologists rarely consider a PHGB as the first diagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis of hydatid cyst was possible only in 50% of cases. Therefore, a careful attention is necessary to assist in making the diagnosis preoperatively, leading to the appropriate treatment.

Can we predict mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis in esophagogastric junction cancer? Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to define clinical indicator that predicts mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis (MLNM) in patients with Esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC) to select patient population requiring esophagectomy. METHODS: A systematic and electronic search of several electronic databases was performed up to August 2020. Studies containing information on risk factors for MLNM in patients diagnosed with EJGC and who underwent curative surgery were included. RESULTS: Two predictors, including undifferentiated type (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.07-3.10, p = 0.03) and esophageal invasion length (EIL) (OR = 10.95, 95% CI = 6.37-18.82, p < 0.00001) were identified as significant predictors for the risk of MLNM. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the associations of these clinicopathological features with MLNM can be useful in determining operative strategy for EGJC.

Surgical site infection in mesh repair for ventral hernia in contaminated field: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Given the risk of surgical site infection (SSI), the use of mesh in contaminated ventral hernia repair (VHR) is not standardized and still a clinical dilemma. This meta-analysis aimed to assess whether mesh use increased the risk of SSI in patients following VHR in contaminated field. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of published literature. Studies comparing the mesh repair and anatomic repair, the use of mesh in different Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wound classes and mesh repair with synthetic mesh or other type of meshes to treat complicated and contaminated VHR were considered for analysis. The main outcome was SSI incidence. RESULTS: Six studies compared mesh and suture repairs. No significant difference in SSI incidence was observed between patients with complicated VHR in the mesh and suture repair groups.Five studies analyzed mesh repair in patients by field contamination level. There was no significant difference between the use of mesh in clean-contaminated, contaminated and dirty field versus clean wound class. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the use of mesh in clean-contaminated and contaminated cases.Four studies compared mesh repair technique with synthetic mesh or other type of meshes were included. The incidence of SSI was significantly lower in the synthetic mesh group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mesh repair in the management of complicated VHR compared to suture repair is not associated with an increased incidence of SSI even in potentially contaminated fields.

Prostatic cystadenoma presenting as a large multilocular pelvic male mass.

Multilocular cystadenoma are benign lesions located most commonly between the rectum and the bladder. Their presence manifests as obstructive or/and irritative lower urinary tract symptoms or transit disorders. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging may help to establish the diagnosis. Surgery is the established treatment standard, with a high risk of recurrence in case of incomplete excision of the lesions. Here we report a case of 59-year-old man presenting with an acute urinary retention due to a giant multilocular prostatic cystadenoma treated by complete excision. The diagnosis has never been suspected before surgery and has been confirmed histologically after complete excision.

[Descending necrotizing mediastinitis of odontogenic origin]. / Médiastinite nécrosante descendante odontogénique.

BACKGROUND: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) following an oropharyngeal infection is a rare disease with a rapid course and a mortality rate of up to 40%. The aim of this study, is to outline the diagnosis and the appropriate treatment of DNM. METHODS: A retrospective study (1986-2007) of patients with DNM was made. Only patients with cervical cellulitis associated with DNM were included. RESULTS: Eight men and two women with an average age of 43 years were treated. Five had diabetes. The average for diagnosis and treatment was eight days. In eight cases, we found a dental origin and in two cases a pharyngeal origin. The diagnosis of DNM was made thanks to cervico thoracic CT scan in six cases. In the others patients, they had at presentation clinical and radiological evidence of mediastinal diffusion. All patients were treated by broad spectrum antibiotherapy. All had cervical drainage. Mediastinal drainage was made by cervical approach in 2 two cases and via a right thoracotomy in eight cases. Eight patients died. CONCLUSION: Odontogenic DNM is a rare disease with rapid course. Clinical diagnosis is difficult and early recognition with a low thresold for CT scanning is essential. CT is also useful for the treatment and in the post operative assessment. All affected tissue plane must be debrided. Surgical management and mediastinal drainage remain controversial about the indication of thoracotomy.

Intussusception through an ileostomy: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Intussusception through an ileostomy is one of the rarest complications of stomas. In this study we report a case and a brief update of the literature to focus on the clinical level of this pathology and the therapeutic attitudes. PRESENTATION OF CASE: a 44-year-old man who underwent a small bowel resection with double stoma for tuberculosis peritonitis presented with stomatal prolapse. On examination of the stoma, small bowel mucosa appeared to have evident rather than serosa. The patient had an elective reduction of the proximal stoma under anesthesia. CONCLUSION: A review of the literature shows that Intussusception through an ileostomy can occur at any time after the first surgery. The cause is still unclear. Urgent conservative surgical management based on manual reduction should be preferred.