[Spinal anesthesia versus general anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair: propensity score analysis]

Administrative database, used previously for control of cost, patient flow and invoicing, offer to researchers a large sample of patients representative of population providing interesting information's in the field of descriptive and analytic epidemiology with less cost. To compare spinal to general anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair concerning a population extracted from administrative database after propensity matched analysis. Prospective study concerning 4690 hospitalizations in Department B of General Surgery of Charles Nicolle hospital during a period of 18 months, between June 1st, 2008 and December 31st, 2009. A descriptive analysis followed by a comparison between spinal and general anesthesia according propensity matched analysis were performed. 595 inguinal hernias were operated on. Mean age was 55 +/- 15.We mentioned a male predominance: 326 men [84.2%] and 61 women [15.8%]. 137 patients had previous medical diseases [35.4%]. 47[12.1%] patients were operated on in emergent situation on the other hand 340[87.9%] had elective surgery. 264[68.2%] were ASA I, 110[28.4%] ASA II, 13[3.4%] ASA III. Post operative course were uneventful in 96.1% [372] and complicated in 11 patients [2.9%].Four deaths were observed [1%]. Comparison before and after propensity matched analysis showed a statistical difference regarding postoperative stay and all hospital stay in favor of spinal anesthesia [p=0.007]. Postoperative stay is significantly shorter in the group of spinal anesthesia [p=0.007]. A randomized clinical trial comparing spinal anesthesia to general anesthesia is needed

[Emphysematous pyelitis: epidemiological, therapeutic and evolutive features]

Emphsematous pyelitis is an uncommon form of acute pyelonephritis. It has been reported sporadically in the literature. Our objective is to study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of emphysematous pyelitis. The-data-of six patients- managed-for emphysematous-pyelitis were collected and analyzed. The mean age was 55 years. Urinary lithiasis and diabetes were the most common co-morbidities. Febrile lumbar pain and general health impairment were the presenting symptoms in five patients; the remaining case presented with septic shock. Urine and blood culture grew E. Coli in 4 and 3 cases respectively. Computed tomography of the abdomen led to diagnosis by showing gas images in the collecting system. Treatment consisted of antibiotics associated with collecting system drainage. It avoided emergent nephrectomy in all cases. The treatment of the calculi was held at distance from the infection. Nephrectomy was done in one patient presenting a thinned - dedifferentiated - renal parenchyma. Outcome was good. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare upper urinary tract infection. Risk factors include diabetes and urinary obstruction. The diagnosis is made by computed tomography. Efficient antibiotics administration associated with collecting system drainage allow soon recovery and avoid nephrectomy