Radical versus conservative methods in one-stage pilonidal abscess surgery: the experience of a tunisian center / Métodos radicais versus métodos conservadores em uma etapa da cirurgia de abscesso pilonidal: a experiência de um centro tunisiano

ABSTRACT 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.

RESUMO RACIONAL: O tratamento cirúrgico do abscesso pilonidal é a indicação habitual, mas ainda não está bem codificado. Diferentes técnicas propostas podem ser conservadoras ou radicais. OBJETIVOS: Comparar os resultados pós-operatórios de ambos os métodos, em uma única etapa da estratégia de tratamento. MÉTODOS: Estudo comparativo incluindo todos os pacientes operados por abscesso pilonidal, com um seguimento pós-operatório satisfatório, durante um período de 4 anos. Foi avaliada a ocorrência de recidiva pós-operatória nos prontuários médicos ou entrevistando pacientes. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 57 pacientes: 33 homens e 24 mulheres. A média de idade foi de 26,9±10 anos. O tipo de operação foi a excisão em 46 casos (81%) e a incisão em 11 casos (19%) associada à curetagem em três casos e a drenagem em um caso. A excisão do abscesso pilonidal foi significativamente associada a um tempo maior para retornar à atividade (p=0,04). A cirurgia conservadora foi significativamente associada a uma cicatrização mais rápida da ferida cirúrgica (p<0,001). A taxa de recidiva foi de 19% em cirurgia radical e de 54% em cirurgia conservadora. A cirurgia radical foi significativamente associada a uma taxa de recidiva menor do que o procedimento de incisão (p=0,02). CONCLUSÕES: A excisão do abscesso pilonidal foi a técnica comum nesta casuística, com taxa de recidiva da doença significativamente menor do que após a incisão. No entanto, a longa convalescença após a excisão e o maior tempo de operação, pode às vezes levar à escolha de uma cirurgia conservadora.

[Splenic abscesses: diagnosis and treatment]

Splenic abscess are a rare and severe pathology causing difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. The Clinical presentation usually associated with abdominal pain in the left upper quadrant, fever and splenomegaly. Diagnosis will be confirmed by morphologic examination such as ultra sonography and computed tomography. Percutaneous drainage procedure made in first intention can be used either for curative purpose or to prepare patient for surgery. We report four cases of splenic abscess collected in our departement between 1997 and 2000 in which percutaneous drainage procedure was trial first. Two of them were successful and the others were completed by splenectomy

[Traumatisms of the pricipal bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomies]

Laparoscopic cholecystecmy is the preferred method for removing the Gall bladder. The most frequent intro-operative complications are by for related to the biliary tract: wounds, section. From September 1995 to August 2001, the authors have realized 1570 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were 3 lesions of the common bile duct. Most of those complications are directly proportional to the operators experience. Their prevention depends on a perfect technics, understanding of the mechanisms and no hesitation in converting to conventional laparotomy whenever difficulties are encountered