[The contribution of skin autograft in open air in the treatment of the Buruli ulcer]. / Apport de l'autogreffe cutanée à l'air libre dans le traitement de l'ulcère de Buruli.

The Buruli ulcer (BU) rages in a lot of tropical and subtropical countries. In Democratic Republic of Congo, some BU cases were reported between the 50s and 70s. This disease offers resistance to the usual chemotherapy. The only alternative for the treatment remains the surgical one (trimming, wound dressing, graft). The overarching aim of this study, conducted in the province of Lower Congo, is to put forward a surgical therapeutic approach adapted to the precarious conditions met on the ground in our rural areas. The evidence of a Mycobacterium ulcerans infection has been bacteriological and histopathological. The slight skin autograft or "of Davis", in open air or with dressing was performed in 37 patients. After three months this skin autograft in open air has experienced 78.5% of complete healing against 70% for the skin autograft with dressing. The exposure of skin graftings to open air favors an hyperoxygenation which also fights against the Mycobacterium ulcerans, for this latter develops better in an hypoxical area.

[Ilizarov fixation of supramalleolar fractures]. / Fixation des fractures supra-malléolaires par fixateur selon Ilizarov.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Supramalleolar fractures are generally considered to be a difficult surgical challenge because they occur in a area where the tibia lies superficially with a precarious blood supply to the skin, exposing to the risk of infection and necrosis after internal fixation. These fractures are also situated close to the tibiotalar joint making centromedullary nailing difficult, even with distal locking. The Ilizarov external fixator could be an attractive alternative in this indication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report a series of 17 supramalleolar fractures in 17 patients, 14 men and 3 women, treated with the Ilizarov external fixator between 1991 and 2001. Most were traffic accident victims and most had complex fractures resulting from high-energy trauma. There were many associated lesions. Fractures were open in ten patients. The Ilizarov fixator was used as the first intention treatment in seven patients and as a second line treatment in ten. The system allowed early weight bearing in all patients. RESULTS: Tolerance was generally good with a relatively low rate of superficial pin track infections (two cases). There was one case of osteitis which developed in a patient with an open fracture. There were no thromboembolic complications and no nerve involvement. Bone healing was achieved within three months in thirteen patients. There were three cases of late healing which were treated by the ascension technique using a cancellous graft and fibular osteotomy. The overall healing rate with this method was 94%. The one case of nonunion was successfully treated with an inter tibiofibular graft. The overall functional outcome was satisfactory in 76% of the patients, based on the Alho-Klemm criteria. Axial deformation predominated in the frontal plane: three patients had > 10 degrees varus in one case. DISCUSSION: These results could be improved by better operative technique. We advocate installing the patient in the supine position with transcalcaneal traction allowing good restitution of the leg axis. The assembly should be long, including the entire leg segment.

[Hydatid cysts in muscles: eleven cases]. / Kyste hydatique musculaire: à propos de 11 cas.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Echinococciasis or hydatid disease is a cosmopolite antropozoonosis common to humans and several mammal species. The disease results from the development of the larval or hydatid form of the canine tenia (Echinococcus granulosis) in the organism. Hydatic cysts are uncommonly found in muscles, even in endemic zones. The purpose of this work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of hydatid cysts observed in muscles based on our clinical experience and data in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this study, we collected data on eleven cases of hydatid cysts in muscles treated surgically at the Sousse University Hospital in Tunisia over a 17-year period from 1985 to 2002. We noted epidemiological, clinical, ultrasonographic and laboratory data which were analyzed to better detail the characteristic features of these localizations. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 30 years (range 7-50). All patients lived in rural areas where sheep raising and contact with dogs was common. Patients consulted for a tumefaction of the soft tissue which increased in volume progressively. The muscle focus was generally unique and primary. The proximal muscles of the limbs were involved predominantly. Ultrasonography was performed for nine patients and suggested the diagnosis in all cases. The typical feature was a liquid echostructure in an endemic context. Computed tomography was performed in four patients with deep cysts. Magnetic resonance imaging was not used. Surgical treatment was used in all cases with a pericystectomy in six. Early outcome was favorable excepting one case of suppuration of the resection zone observed in one woman. At 2.5 years, there have been no cases of local or distant recurrence. DISCUSSION: Several factors would explain the exceptional nature of muscle localizations of hydatid cysts: efficacy of the hepatic and pulmonary barriers, muscle environment not favorable for growth of hydatid larvae. The predominant localization in the proximal muscles of the lower limbs could be explained by the volume of the muscle mass and its rich blood supply. It is important to establish the diagnosis preoperatively in order limit the risk of anaphylactic shock or dissemination in the event of puncture or accidental opening of the cyst during resection. Ultrasonography is the diagnostic tool of choice. Surgery is required for treatment, ideally by en bloc total pericystectomy. Medical treatment with imidazoles has little efficacy for the treatment of muscular hydatid disease. CONCLUSION: Hydatid cysts are rarely found in muscles, even in highly endemic zones. The diagnosis must nevertheless be entertained depending on the clinical and endemic context. Ultrasonography, and accessorily magnetic resonance imaging, are the exploration tools of choice to confirm the diagnosis before surgery and avoid puncture. Exclusively surgical treatment is indicated, ideally for total pericystic resection without rupture.

[Results of diaphyseal shortening of the radius in the treatment of Kienböck's disease: a series of 31 cases]. / Résultats du raccourcissement diaphysaire du radius dans le traitement de la maladie de Kienböck.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Several therapeutic options have been proposed for the treatment of Kienbock's disease, including shortening of the radius. We report results in a series of 31 cases treated by diaphyseal radial shortening with a mean 6-year follow-up (range 1 - 18 years). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The series included 19 women and 12 men, mean age, 26 years (range 17 - 47 years). According to the Lichtmann classification there were 7 grade II, 23 grade IIIa and 1 grade IIIb. Mean shortening was 4.5 mm, ranging from 3 to 6 mm. Pain, mobility, muscle force and radiological presentation were assessed. RESULTS: Pain relief was achieved in all patients; 20 patients were entirely pain free and 11 had exceptional minor pain at exertion. Mean gain in mobility was 22 p. 100 both for palmar flexion and for dorsal flexion. Muscle force was improved in 30 cases with normal force in 18 and slightly less than normal force in 12. Muscle force remained insufficient in one case. According to the Michon criteria, there were 80 p. 100 excellent and good results. The radiographic assessment showed 14 improvements, 16 stabilizations, and 1 aggravation. Overall clinical ouctcome was independent of age, and preoperative radiographic aspect and length of the ulna. In addition, there was no correlation betwen radiological changes of the lunatum and the clinical result. CONCLUSION: Osteotomy for diaphyseal shortenig of the radius is a reliable simple procedure which does not require supplementary immobilization and which avoids complications encountered with self-compressive paltes.

[Percutaneous nephrostomy in the treatment of pyonephrosis. A comparative study apropos of 36 cases]. / Apport de la néphrostomie percutanée dans le traitement de la pyonéphrose. Une étude comparative à propos de trente-six cas.

This study is a comparison of the treatments used in 36 patients suffering from pyonephrosis. The patients were subdivided in two groups: cases having undergone previous percutaneous drainage; and cases having undergone primary nephrectomy. These latter cases presented a high complication rate. We believe that preliminary drainage by percutaneous nephrostomy, constitutes the procedure of choice, when ever possible, to drain the kidney and prepare the patient for nephrectomy.