[Hypogastric artery ligation for post-partum hemorrhage]. / Ligature bilatérale des artères hypogastriques dans la prise en charge des hémorragies du post-partum.

UNLABELLED: Post-partum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality in Tunisia as in many other countries. In case of failure of medical measures, bilateral ligation of hypogastric arteries (BLHA) represents an interesting alternative to the hemostatic hysterectomy to preserve patients fertility. OBJECTIVE: Report our BLHA experience in the post-partum hemorrhage management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study conducted between January 2001 and December 2008. We collected all the patients who had undergone a BLHA in case of post-partum haemorrhage. RESULTS: Fifty-seven BLHA were carried out during the study period. The success rate was 82.45%. The procedure failed in 10 patients. Most cases were uterine atony and placenta accreta. We reported one complication: a case of perioperative ligation of the primitive iliac artery. Surgical management was successful. Magnetic resonance imaging performed on average two months after surgery had shown a complete repermeabilization in seven cases among eight. CONCLUSION: BLHA is an interesting and effective option in the management of severe post-partum hemorrhage. Technique learning is recommended especially in case of non availability of uterine artery embolization.

[Twin pregnancy with single fetal death: etiology, management and outcome]. / Grossesse gémellaire avec mort foetale in utero d'un jumeau : étiologies, prise en charge et pronostic.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-uterine fetal death (IUFD) of one twin is a relatively frequent complication of twin pregnancy. Prognosis of the surviving twin seems to be the main problem. Management is not consensual and suffers from the lack of guidelines. OBJECTIVES: To report the main involved etiologies, assess the surviving co-twin outcome and discuss strategies of management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 33 twin pregnancies complicated by single intrauterine fetal death after 26 weeks of gestation, admitted in the department "A" of obstetrics and gynecology of the Tunisian center of maternity and neonatalogy from January 2000 to October 2008. RESULTS: Prevalence was 2.98%. Chorionicity was precised for 28 GG; 67.9% (n=19) were bichorionic (BC) and 32.1% (n=9) monochorionic (MC). The mean gestational age at the time of fetal death diagnosis was 31 weeks+2 days. Main involved pathologies in case of BC pregnancy were: intrauterine growth restriction (36.8%), pre-eclampsia (21%) and gestational diabetes (15.8%) and in case of MC pregnancy: twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (44.4%). Prematurity rate was 85.2%. IUFD of the second twin occurred in one case and neonatal death in six cases. Tranfontanellar ultrasound on the seventh day of life found cerebral abnormalities in six liveborns. CONCLUSION: Surviving co-twin prognosis was mainly compromised by prematurity and its consequences.

[Evolution of maternal mortality in a level 3 Tunisian maternity from 1998 to 2007]. / Evolution de la mortalité maternelle dans une maternité tunisienne de niveau 3 entre 1998 et 2007.

INTRODUCTION: The action plan for the maternal mortality is generally based on research studies' results carried out within hospital structure. OBJECTIVES: Determination and follow-up of the evolution of maternal mortality from 1998 to 2007 in a level 3 Tunisian maternity and identification of its main causes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study carried out between January 1998 and December 2007. In our service, since 1984, maternal deaths are systematically recorded. Information about deaths are collected from the following sources: childbirth folder, folder of hospitalization in reanimation, after the autopsy, through information collected beside the family, or by the National System of Maternal Death Surveillance, only since 1999. RESULTS: Thirty-one mother deaths were colligated during the study. The average age of patients was around 33 years. The global maternal mortality rate during the study was about 56 deaths for 100,000 live births. The trend was characterized by a net decrease to this rate to 2003, and stagnation after that or even an increase in 2007. Deaths were due, in 81% of cases, to a direct obstetric reason. Hemorrhage was the principal etiology, which was implicated in 35.48% of the total cases. Complications of preeclampsia were incriminated in 19.35% of the total number of cases. In this set, transfer rate was about 48.38%. CONCLUSION: The evolution over the years shows a net regression of maternal mortality. However, the trend was characterized by a recent stagnation. However most of cases were avoidable. Much progress has to be carried out in the cases of peripartum hemorrhages and preeclampsia, since they represent the main death causes.

[Management of breast cancer detected by a mammography program in the Ariana area of Tunisia]. / Prise en charge des cancers du sein issus du programme mammographique du gouvernorat de l'Ariana en Tunisie.

OBJECTIVE: To report the epidemiological and anatomoclinical features of breast cancers referred to a department of gynecology from the screening program of l'Ariana state in Tunisia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal retrospective Study was done over a period of 4 years (2004-2006 ) at the unit "A" gynecology department of the maternity of Tunis. We collected all the cases with histologically confirmed breast cancer diagnosed within the mammography screening program of l'Ariana state, referred to our unit for treatment. RESULTS: 10 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer were collected during the study period, treated at our unit. Mean age of patients was of 48.8 years. Clinical examination was initially negative in 50% of cases. Mean clinical tumor size was 18 mm, while invasive ductual carcinoma represents the most frequent histological type. One patient (10%) had histological axillary involvement. Conservative surgery was performed for 8 (80%) of the 10 patients. CONCLUSION: This pilot study of mammography screening confined to a Tunisian state, precludes to the future profile of BC In Tunisia, showing that an early diagnosis can lead to a dramatic reduction of mean clinical tumor size, less histological poor prognostic features, more conservative surgery and a slight improvement of survival. A structured extended screening program must be installed to achieve these goals but requires an important financial and human investment.

[Surgical treatment of breast lesions: preliminary results of the screening program of the Ariana area]. / Traitement chirurgical des lésions mammaires infracliniques: résultats préliminaires du programme de dépistage de l'Ariana.

OBJECTIVE: To report clinical, radiological and histological characteristics of the infraclinical breast lesions patients recruited via the large scale mammography breast cancer screening of l'Ariana state in Tunisia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study over a period of 2 years. The recruitment of patients made on the occasion of the program of breast cancer screening. RESULTS: During this period, 22 patients in our unity had had a surgical excision after wire localization. Ten patients were recruited by means of systematic breast cancer screening. In these cases, the mammographic findings were classified B.I.R.A.D.S 4 in 7 cases and BIRADS type 5 in 3 cases. Definitive histology concluded to benign disease in 4 cases and malignancy 6 cases. This collaboration enables the diagnosis an invasive ductal carcinoma in three cases. CONCLUSION: The surgical excision after wire localization for non palpable breast lesions allows diagnosis of high-risk benign lesions and low-stage breast cancer. It is a reliable technique which indications have to be based on clinical and radiological strict criteria. This procedure is at present, and in developed countries, widely outstripped with the stereotactic core needle biopsy.

[Imaging of gestational trophoblastic disease]. / Imagerie des maladies trophoblastiques gestationnelles.

INTRODUCTION: Trophoblastic diseases correspond to a very heterogeneous group. OBJECTIVE: To establish the importance of imaging in the management of trophoblastic diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study from 1995 to 2008, including all patients with a gestational throphoblastic disease in our department. RESULTS: Seventy-four cases were identified with 58 molar pregnancies, 14 trophoblastic tumors and two cases of hydatiform mole coexistent with a twin live fetus. Ultrasound's sensibility in case of hydatiform moles was 75.86%. It was sharply more important in case of a complete mole with a detection rate of 96.15% against 28% in case of partial mole. In trophoblastic tumors, ultrasound coupled with Doppler had shown signs of invasion in half of the cases. Four patients presented with lung metastases. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in two cases. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is of high-performance in the positive diagnosis of complete moles. Furthermore, it shows signs of invasion in case of trophoblastic tumors. In those cases, a radiological assessment guides the management even in the absence of histological proofs.

[Fertiloscopy: Tunisian experiment]. / Fertiloscopie: expérience tunisienne.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the place and the results of fertiloscopy in the management of female infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study over a period of eight years including the patients presenting infertility without pathology raising of an evident surgical indication. We analyzed the perioperative data, the results as well as the complications of this intervention. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-eight fertiloscopic procedures succeeded (84%). For 84 patients (37.6%) we realized a coelioscopy. In 44% for failure of the exam and in 66% for lesions found in the fertiloscopy and requiring surgery. Two complications without major consequence will be deplored: two rectal injuries. CONCLUSION: Fertiloscopy is a safe and reliable procedure. It can be substituted to laparoscopy in the routine assessment of infertile women management in case of not obvious surgical indication.

[Place of the sulprostone in therapeutic interruptions of the pregnancy]. / Place du sulprostone dans les interruptions therapeutiques de la grossesse.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic interruption of the pregnancies of the 2nd and 3-rd quarter is often badly accepted by the patients and it is original that his realization is easy, effective and the less traumatic possible. In this indication, the sulprostone (Nalador) is a big contribution. AIM: The purpose of our study is to review this product, to describe our experience concerning its use in the therapeutic interruptions of pregnancies and to study alternatives in case of failure or of against indication in its use. METHODS: It is about a forward-looking study opened from the 01-07-02 led in the service "A" of the CMNT. We brought together 30 women where a therapeutic interruption of the pregnancy was put and who did'nt present of against indications to the sulprostone. RESULTS: The average age was of 27 years with extremes from 18 to 39 years 50% of our patients were nullipares. The terms of pregnancy varied from 16 to 28 LIMITED COMPANIES with an average of 20 LIMITED COMPANIES. The indications of these terminations of pregnancy were maternal in 33.33% of cases and foetal in 66.66% of cases. The average number of light bulbs of Nalador used by the women was of 2.25 with extremes going from 1 to 4. The delay of eviction from the beginning of the induction was on average of 21 hours, with a rate of success of 90%. We did not regret any break uterine Delivery was incomplete requiring a uterine revision under general anesthetic in 5 cases. Tolerance was good in general In case of failure alternatives were: the misoprostol (cytotec *), the Probe extra amniotic dries and the wet Probe. CONCLUSION: The sulprostone by intravenous way constitutes an effective method of medical interruption of the pregnancy in the 2-nd and 3-rd quarter with a satisfactory tolerance and a rate of success of 90 %.

[Arterial injury as a complication of lumbar disc surgery]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Plaie artérielle compliquant une chirurgie discale lombaire.

Vascular complications are unusual after lumbar disc surgery. Iliac artery injury is the most common. The vascular injury may cause severe bleeding and hypotension. If the injury is missed, an arteriovenous fistula may develop. This complication is fortunately the most common. We describe the case of a 41 year-old man who was operated on for lumbar disc herniation. A few hours after surgery, he had developed prolonged hypotension leading to the diagnosis of iatrogenic vascular injury. The CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of right common iliac tear with voluminous retroperitoneal haematoma. Emergent surgery was carried on with success.

Is laparoscopy still the gold standard in infertility assessment? A comparison of fertiloscopy versus laparoscopy in infertility. Results of an international multicentre prospective trial: the 'FLY' (Fertiloscopy-LaparoscopY) study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective multicentre study was to compare the two endoscopic techniques of laparoscopy and fertiloscopy in routine evaluation of the pelvis in infertile women. METHODS: A total of 92 women was selected in 14 University Hospitals to undergo fertiloscopy followed by transabdominal laparoscopy by a team of two surgeons in each hospital. RESULTS: A high degree of concordance was observed between these two techniques, in that if fertiloscopy did not detect any abnormalities, this was also confirmed by laparoscopy. Discordance was observed in similar numbers of cases: eight after laparoscopy and nine after fertiloscopy. The diagnostic index for fertiloscopy and laparoscopy was calculated; sensitivity (86 and 87% respectively) and negative predictive value (64 and 67% respectively) were similar. The kappa index was also calculated for each of the six structures/regions (right/left tube; right/left ovary; peritoneum of pouch of Douglas; posterior uterus), and concordance (0.78 to 0.91) was considered almost complete. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm fertiloscopy as a minimally invasive safe procedure that may be considered as an alternative to diagnostic laparoscopy in the routine assessment of women without clinical or ultrasound evidence of pelvic disease. On the basis of the additional advantages of fertiloscopy, namely salpingoscopy or microsalpingoscopy, it is considered that fertiloscopy could replace laparoscopy as a routine procedure in such women.

[Endometrial adenofibroma]. / Adénofibrome endométrial.

We report a case of papillary adenofibroma of the uterine corpus in a 31 year-old woman who was initially examined for vaginal bleeding. Pelvic examination showed a large polypoid mass protruding through the cervix canal. A pelvic ultrasound revealed a polypoid cystic mass apparently arising from the uterus. A polypectomy was performed. The tumor was composed histologically by begin epithelial and mesenchymal components. Uterine adenofibroma is a extremely rare tumor which considered to be a mixed tumor of Müllerian origin. This lesion appears to be clinically and histologically benign but must be differentiated from other malignant lesions of the uterus, particularly from the adenosarcoma.

[Diagnosis of holoprosencephalia. Report of 17 cases]. / Diagnostic de l'holoprosencephalie. A propos de 17 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the epidemiologic profile of holoprosencephalia and determine benefits of ultrasound and foetopathologic examination to the diagnostic. METHODS AN MATERIAL: [corrected] Retrospective study about 17 cases of holoprosencephalia observed in CMNT between Janaury 1992 and September 2000. RESULTS: Ultrasound diagnosis was made in 13 cases (75%). Ultrasound criteria were; absence of median structure of the brain and unique ventricule. The prognosis was always bad. Foetopathologic examination revealed 7 cases of lobar holoproencephalia and 10 of semi lobar. Fascial dysmorphia were noted in 82% of cases. CONCLUSION: The foetopathology and genetic counselling looking for fascial, dysmorphia in family's members gives a good evaluation of recurrences.

[Surveillance system of maternal mortality in the Tunis region]. / Le système de surveillance des décès maternels dans la région de Tunis.

In the framework of a national strategy of reduction of the maternal mortality rate. Tunisia has set up a follow up system of maternal deaths occurring in public facilities to analyse their causes, the levels of deficiency and to propose solutions for preventing them. This note aims at describing the system, its results, its efficiency and its limitations in the Tunis region for the years 1999 and 2000. The results show a maternal mortality rate estimated at 80 for 100,000 births in public facilities of the region: the main causes being haemorrhage (42.1%) followed by infection (13.2%). The proportion of avoidable deaths is 87%:74% possibly avoidable and 13% certainly avoidable, factors related to women behaviour have also contributed to 45% of cases. The system flows are however intricated, and related to organization: an underestimation of risk by the patient (33%), an inadequate watch during the postpartum period (25%), a late hospitalisation (22%) and not enough reanimation equipment. Nevertheless, this control system has achieved part of its objective by starting up a quality approach to obstetrical cares and by warning health professionals such as obstetricians, anaesthetists, blood banks in charge, hospital managers and other medical teams. The limitations of the system are tied to the follow up of the real implementation of recommendations stated in reports at a local as well as central levels.

[Antenatal diagnosis and contribution of fetopathologic examination in the management of omphalocele]. / Diagnostic antenatal et apport de l'examen foetopathologique dans la prise en charge de l'omphalocele.

The omphalocele is an average coelosomie, frequency of which is estimated at 1/5000 births. We confront diagnosis antenatal with the exam foetopathologic in purpose of 41 cases of omphalocele brought together over a period going from January 1, 1991 till December, 2000 in the unity of foetopathologie from the CMNT. The frequency of omphaloceles is 4.88% of the children malformed and of 1.64% of the set (group) of the performed an autopsy children. An association malformative was found in 85.4% of cases and a karyotype typical aberration trisomie 13.18 and 21 was identified in 17% of cases. The preview of the children bearers of this deformation is especially bound (connected) to the existence and to the gravity of associated abnormalities. The omphalocele required a multidisciplinary making coverage intervernir obstetriciens, néonatologistes, surgeons pediatre and foetopathologistes.

[Screening for carential anemia in pregnant women: prospective study. Report of 200 cases]. / Depistage de l'anemie carentielle chez la femme enceinte: etude prospective. A propos de 200 cas.

To report the frequency and intensity of anemia in a population of pregnant tunisian women. Our retrospective study concern 200 patients collected from january to july 1999 in a population of pregnancies. Mean age was 30.1 years and 68.5% of patients consult in the third trimester with a 33.5% rate of multiparity. The frequency of anemia is 37.5%. Anemia was ferriprive in 97.3% and hypochromic in 24% of cases. Mean ferritinemia is 4.19 ng/ml after 24 weeks of amenorrhea with a marqued decrease in case of multiparity and pregnancy evolution. Mean transferrinemia is significantly low in anemic (3.98 g/dl) versus non anemic (3.60 g/dl) patients (< 0.05). The comparison of anemia with parity, the delay between two pregnancies and term of pregnancy showed a higher risk with multiparity, short delay between two pregnancies and advanced term. The frequency of anemia in tunisian pregnant women is relatively high, prevention is based on iron supplementation and hygienodietetic advices.

[Septic shock complicating amniocentesis]. / Choc septique compliquant une amniocentèse.

Amniocentesis is a routine technique for prenatal diagnosis. The incidence of severe intra-amniotic infection is very low. We report a case of septic shock following an amniocentesis in a 34-year-old women. Patient admitted in intensive care unit and need mechanical ventilation and vasoactives drugs to control hemodynamic pertubation. Bacteriological data showed positive polymicrobial blood cultures to Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter. The patient gradually improved, however her renal function was still impaired and she was discharged three months after admission.

[Fetal pathology study of 88 cases of letal spina bifida]. / Etude foeto-pathologique de 88 cas de spina bifida létaux.

Lethal spina bifida continue to be frequent in Tunisia; we report 88 cases of letal spina bifida: 1.05 per thousand births. This pathology was more frequent with women. The up letal spina bifida situated is predominant with female and the dow spina bifida situated is frequent with male. We have noted an association with anencephalia (46 cases) and hydrocephaly (21 cases). Prevention is based on obstetric health care and hygiene dietetic advices to avoid alimentary deficit.

[Value of fetal MRI in the prenatal diagnosis of renal polycystic disease: a case report]. / Apport de l'IRM foetale dans le diagnostic anténatal de la polykystose rénale: à propos d'une observation.

We present a case of foetal polycystic kidney disease diagnosed at 34 weeks of gesttion thanks to resonance imaging (MRI). MRI demonstrated enlarged foetal kidneys that were low signal intensity on T1 weighted images and high signal intensity on T2 weighted images. These MRI findings suggested a high water containing of the renal parenchyma.