[Pneumopericardium: a race against time! Case report and literature review]. / Le pneumopericarde: une course contre le temps! Cas clinique et revue de la littérature.

An 81-year-old woman without any known previous disease was admitted for epigastralgia, nausea, vomiting and anorexia since 15 days. The investigations disclosed a pneumopericardium which was caused by the perforation of a gastric ulcer, situated on the collar of an hiatal hernia. A pericardial drainage and a suture of the ulcer were performed, but the patient could not be saved. Despite an optimal treatment composed of pericardial drainage, specific surgery and intensive care, the mortality rate of pneumopericardium is still around 50% proving the severity of this illness.

Gallbladder volvulus: a case report. Could the ultrasound be the key of the early diagnosis?

Gallbladder volvulus is a rare disease which may affect the elderly. It mimics clinically an acute cholecystitis, but the ultrasound signs may provide an early diagnosis: a very large, anteriorly floating gallbladder, with very thickened, multi layered wall, could orientate the physician to this rare disease. We present one case of gallbladder volvulus with its radiological signs. The symptoms, the etiology and the radiological examinations are discussed.

[Solitary splenic metastasis of endometrial adenocarcinoma. A case report and review of the literature]. / Métastase splénique unique d'un adénocarcinome de l'endomètre. A propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

The authors report one case of solitary metastatic endometrial carcinoma of the spleen. Carcinomatous metastatic involvement of the spleen usually indicates widespread malignant disease. Solitary metastatic lesions in this organ are exceedingly rare and the literature reveals up today only three cases having a endometrial origin. The authors take this opportunity to make a review of the literature.

[11-year management of complicated inguinal hernias using pre-peritoneal mesh prosthesis]. / Elf jaar behandeling van ingewikkelde liesbreuken met preperitoneale plaatprothesen.

A median preperitoneal approach associated to a mesh prosthesis of Teflon has been used in our service since 1974. First used for the treatment of recidives, the technic has also been used for bilateral herniae. We have now operated 263 patients, representing 471 herniae over a 11 year period. In this study we analyse the results. In a series of 214 patients recidives were identified in 3.6% of patients despite the prosthesis. Some of these patients were reoperated. The authors found the probable cause of the recidives.

[Analysis of 66 cases of colorectal side-to-end anastomosis by the Baker method]. / Analyse de 66 cas d'anastomose colo-rectale latéro-terminale selon Baker.

From 1976 to 1985, 66 elective side to end colorectal anastomosis according to Baker's technique were performed. 36 of those 66 anastomoses (54.5%) were performed lower than 10 cm from the anal verge. Our series includes 17 cases of diverticular disease, 1 case of post radiotherapy stenosis of the rectosigmoïd junction and 49 carcinomas. 50% of all carcinomas were Dukes' C or D lesions and more than 34.8% of all lesions were subobstructive. The method of preoperative colonic preparation is described. The results are the following:--clinical fistulas: 2 (3.0%)--wound infections: 3 (4.5%)--deaths: 4 (6.1%). None of the colorectal sutures were protected by a colostomy whereas 4 colostomies previously instaured were suppressed at the time colorectal continuity was restored. This study clearly demonstrates that manual colorectal anastomosis following Baker's technique are as secure as stapled anastomosis although very less expensive.

[Cure of inguino-crural herniae through median preperitoneal route and teflon prosthesis. Personal series of 56 cases (author's transl)]. / Cure des hernies inguino-crurales par voie médiane prépéritonéale et prothèse en teflon. A propos d'une série personnelle de 56 patients.

The authors chose a median, preperitoneal incision with use of a large and flexible Teflon prosthesis for the treatment of recurrent herniae and for bilateral direct herniae. They describe their technique in detail. They stress the facility, the absence of subsequent pain, that allows early mobilization, the low morbidity and good tolerance of the material. They analyse a homogeneous series of 56 patients operated from 1st August 1974 to 31 December 1977 presenting with 91 primary herniae or recurrences. Forty-eight patients were followed between 6 months and 3.5 years: none has recurrence or sequellae. The authors envisage extension of the indications of this method.