Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: a 331 cases report

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis [HPS] is a frequent infant disease. Its diagnosis is very easy, based on its classical clinical features and ultrasonography. The aim of this study is to evaluate the management of HPS in the Paediatric Surgery Department of Casablanca over a period of 25 years [1977-2002]. We recorded 331 cases and we compared the management of this pathology before and after 1992. The mean age of diagnosis was 52 day-old before 1992 and 34 day-old after 1992. The diagnosis was based on oesophago-gastric barium swallow before 1992, and only on abdominal ultrasonography after. The surgical incision is umbilical since 1992. Death rates decreased from 8% to 2%, showing improvement of the management of HPS since 1992. This improvement can be achieved through an earlier diagnosis and an adequate medical care before surgery

Pancreas pseudocysts in children: therapeutic alternatives

Pancreatic pseudocysts are rare in child. The aim of this study is to review the experience of the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Casablanca Children Hospital and to evaluate the therapeutic results. We retrospectively reviewed 19 cases of pancreatic pseudocyst. Mean age of children was 8 year-old. The post-traumatic origin was the most frequent etiology. Main clinical symptoms were abdominal pain, vomiting and abdominal mass. Diagnosis was based on abdominal ultrasound and CT scan in 42% of cases. Two patients were only observed with a good outcome. Three patients had percutaneous drainage, six needed an open external drainage and 9 had an open internal drainage with a success rate of 78%. Kystojejunostomy is a reliable technique of treating a PSK. However new techniques of endoscopic and percutaneous drainage may be useful in some indications