model of end-stage liver disease [MELD] score in predicting postoperative liver failure after hepatic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: the Tunisian experience

Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is one of the most frequent cancers in the world. Factors associated with prognosis following resection remain ill defined. The model for end-stage liver disease [MELD] is considered as an index of hepatic functional reserve. This study evaluates the reliability of the MELD score in the prediction of liver failure after hepatic resection for HCC in cirrhotic patients. A retrospective chart review was undertaken of patients with HCC and cirrhosis undergoing hepatic resection between January 1991 and December 2007. A total of 26 cirrhotic patients underwent curative hepatic resection for HCC at our department. Patient information included demographic features, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] class, etiology of cirrhosis, laboratory test results, type of surgical procedure, duration of hospitalization, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh and MELD score. Six patients [23.1%] developed postoperative liver failure. AS much as 66.66% of liver failures were seen in patients who have had major hepatectomy. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, we identified that a MELD score equal to or above 9.5 is the best cut-off value for predicting postoperative liver failure. Patients were divided into two groups: MELD below 9.5 [group A] and MELD equal to or above 9.5 [group B]. The highest prevalence of postoperative liver failure of 83.33% was observed in group B. MELD score >/= 9.5 and low serum sodium are strongly predictive of increased postoperative liver failure in patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatic resection of HCC. The presence of liver cirrhosis is an important factor that affects the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. Cirrhotic patients with a high MELD score are at high risk of postoperative liver failure and complications and should be referred for non-surgical treatment

[Postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy comparison of the preoperative administration of celecoxib with paracetamol?]

The goal of this study was to evaluate the preventive analgesic effectiveness of paracetamol and celecoxib in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Randomized prospective study was undertaken, 75 patients of class ASA I and II were included, divided into three groups: P [Paracetamol 1000 mg]. C [Celecoxib 200 mg] given orally one hour before induction and group T [without preoperative analgesia]. The VAS at rest and effort was noted on arrival in the recovery room then with regular intervals [T 30mn to T h24]. A morphine titration was carried out during the first 12 postoperative hours. Hemodynamic parameters. Ramsay score and the adverse effects were noted. The three groups were comparable for the demographic data, the duration of anesthesia and peroperative morphine consumption. The evolution of VAS scores shows a significant difference between the groups P and T with the effort of cough at t24h [p = 0.04], and between the groups C and T at postoperative T 4h [p = 0.016]. In our study the group C consumed to a significant degree less morphine 5.44 +/- 3.00 Mg against 7.83 +/- 4.00 Mg for the group P [p <0.03] and 8.04 +/- 3.00 Mg for the group T [p <0,008]. The administration of 200 Mg of celccoxib in the preoperative period of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy allows a significant decrease in morphine consumption in the postoperative period and a reduction in the scores of the VAS at rest and at the effort of cough compared to the groups which received only one placebo or paracetamol

Sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary: a case report and literature review

Sclerosing stromal tumor [SST] is an uncommon benign tumor of the ovary, representing 2-6% of all stromal ovarian tumors. Comparatively to other fibrothecals tumors, SST is distinct by particular clinical and histological features. A case of SST occurring in 15-year-old female and review of the literature are described in the present article