Acute sigmoid volvulus: results of surgical treatment in the teaching hospitals of Bamako.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of occlusion of the sigmoid colon due to volvulus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study from 1996 to 2010 of all patients undergoing surgery for sigmoid volvulus in surgical wards of the University Hospital of Bamako. RESULTS: A total of 417 patients were identified including 379 men and 38 women. The mean patient age was 45.7 ± 18.3 years. The general condition of the patients was good in 70.5% and altered in 29.5% of cases. Colonic necrosis was present in 80 patients (19.2%). Single-stage resection with immediate anastomosis was performed in 149 patients (35.73%). Two-stage surgery was performed in 268 cases (64.27%). The initial stage of the two-stage procedure was colostomy in 167 cases and simple detorsion in 101 cases. The surgical approach had an impact on mortality in patients who were in poor general condition. Single-stage surgery resulted in higher mortality (12/149; 8.05%) than two-stage surgery (5/268; 1.87%), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0005). CONCLUSION: Single-stage surgery for sigmoid volvulus carries a high risk of death when it is performed in patients with poor general condition. Indications for surgery must take into account the patient's general condition and the viability of the torsed sigmoid colon.

[Peritonitis by typhoid ileal perforation: evolutionary aspects in the Teaching Hospital of Bamako and Kati in Mali]. / Peritonite par perforation ileale d'origine typhique: aspects évolutifs dans les CHU de Bamako et de Kati au Mali.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of peritonitis by typhoid ileal perforation in the teaching hospitals of Bamako and Kati. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study over a 24 years period (1984-2007). Every patient admitted and operated in urgency for peritonitis by ileal perforation were listed and included in this study. RESULTS: During the study period, 1868 acute peritonitis were operated on in the three major health centres of Bamako and Kati. We collected data concerning 543 typhoid ileal perforations which represented 29.0% of all peritonitis. The peritonitis by typhoid perforation constituted 28.5% of the peritonitis in the teaching hospital of the Point G, 30.6% in the Gabriel Touré teaching hospital and 6.4% in the teaching hospital of Kati. Among the peritonitis by typhoid perforation, 56.7% were listed in the Point G teaching hospital, 43.0% in the Gabriel Torre teaching hospital and 0.3% in the Kati teaching hospital. Between 1984-2004 we collected data from two hundred and fifty seven (257) patients suffering from peritonitis by typhoid ileal perforation, a total of 24.4% of the peritonitis recorded. Between 2005-2007, the data for two hundred eighty six (286) patients suffering from peritonitis by typhoid ileal perforation was collected, a total of 35% of the peritonitis recorded. The typhoid ileum perforation remains the 2nd overall cause of generalized peritonitis after that of appendicular origin. CONCLUSION: Peritonitis by typhoid ileum perforation has seen a significant increase from 2004 in the teaching hospitals of Bamako and Kati.

BUT: L'objectif de ce travail était de déterminer la fréquence de la péritonite par perforation iléale d'origine typhique dans les CHU de Bamako et de Kati. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: Nous avons réalisé une étude rétrospective sur une période de 24 ans (1984­2007). Tous les malades admis et opérés en urgence pour une péritonite par perforation iléale ont été recensés et inclus dans cette étude. RÉSULTATS: Durant la période d'étude, 1868 péritonites aiguës ont été opérées dans les trois grandes structures de santé de Bamako et Kati. Nous avons colligé 543 perforations iléales d'origine typhique soit 29,0 % des péritonites. La péritonite par perforation typhique a constitué 28,5% des péritonites au CHU du Point G, 30,6% au CHU Gabriel Touré et 6,4% au CHU de Kati. Parmi les péritonites par perforation typhique, 56,7% ont été recensés au CHU du Point « G ¼, 43,0% au CHU Gabriel Touré et 0,3% au CHU Kati. De 1984­2004 nous avons colligé deux cent cinquante sept (257) malades souffrant d'une péritonite par perforation iléale d'origine typhique soit 24,4% des péritonites. Entre 2005­2007, deux cent quatre vingt six (286) malades ont été colligés soit une fréquence de 35%. La perforation iléale d'origine typhique reste globalement la 2ème cause de péritonite généralisée après celle d'origine appendiculaire. CONCLUSION: La péritonite par perforation iléale d'origine typhique a connu une augmentation importante à partir de 2004 dans les CHU de Bamako et de Kati.

[Volvulus of sigmoid colon: surgical treatment and prognosis in the services of General Surgery of the Point G Teaching Hospital]. / Volvulus du colon sigmoïde: traitement chirurgical et pronostic dans les services de chirurgie generale du CHU du Point G.

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic aspects and prognosis of volvulus of the sigmoid colon in surgical departments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study was retrospective from January 2000 to December 2009 (10 years). All patients who underwent sigmoid volvulus in the Point G teaching hospital surgical departments were taken into account. RESULTS: We recorded 96 patients operated for volvulus of sigmoid over 882 cases of bowel obstruction, a rate of 10.9%. The average age was 47.2 years ± 18.9. In per-operative, there was a necrosis of the colon rate of 16.7% (14 cases). Performed surgical treatment modalities were: sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis in 29.2% of cases (28), sigmoidectomy followed by colostomy and secondary anastomosis in 60.4% of patients (58) and 10.4% rare of simple devolvulation. The immediate postoperative period were marked by a morbidity rate of 7.3% (7 cases) and a mortality rate of 7.3% (7 cases). CONCLUSION: In spite of various therapeutic modalities of volvulus of the sigmoid colon, the rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality are rising in the general surgery of the Point G teaching Hospital.

OBJECTIF: Le but était de décrire les aspects thérapeutiques et de déterminer le pronostic du volvulus du côlon sigmoïde dans les services de chirurgie générale. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: Notre étude a été rétrospective allant de janvier 2000 à décembre 2009 (soit 10 ans). Tous les patients opérés dans les services de chirurgie générale du CHU du Point G pour volvulus du sigmoïde ont été pris en compte. RÉSULTATS: Nous avons enregistré 96 patients opérés pour volvulus du sigmoïde sur 882 cas d'occlusion intestinale soit une fréquence de 10,9%. La moyenne d'âge était de 47,2 ans ±18,9 ans. En per-opératoire, il y avait une nécrose de l'anse volvulée chez 16,7% (14 cas). Les modalités thérapeutiques chirurgicales effectuées ont été: la sigmoïdectomie avec anastomose immédiate dans 29,2% (28 cas), la sigmoïdectomie suivie de colostomie puis anastomose secondaire dans 60,4% (58 cas) et la dévolvulation simple dans 10,4% (10). Les suites opératoires immédiates ont été marquées par un taux de morbidité de 7,3% (7) et un taux de mortalité de 7,3% (7). CONCLUSION: En dépit des modalités thérapeutiques variées du volvulus du côlon sigmoïde, les taux de morbidité et de mortalité postopératoires restent élevés dans les services de chirurgie générale du CHU du Point G.

Adult intussusception: diagnostic pitfalls, morbidity and mortality in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: To study diagnostic pitfalls, morbidity and mortality of adult intussusception. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of adult patients records operated between 1979 and 2007 with the diagnosis of adult intussusception. RESULTS: We found 41 cases of adult intussusception. The mean age was 35.2 years (standard deviation (SD)=7.1). The delay between onset and medical consultation was 15 days. The diagnosis was made pre-operatively in 11 cases. Abdominal ultrasound showed an abdominal mass in 11 cases. Ileo-ileal intussusception was most frequent (16 cases). Intussusception was secondary in 24 cases. There were seven instances of intestinal necrosis. Intestinal resection was performed in 34 cases. Surgical site infection occurred in four patients, three patients died. CONCLUSION: The pre-operative diagnosis of acute intestinal intussusception is difficult. Morbidity and mortality rates are high. Improved diagnostic investigations in developing countries could improve the prognosis of this condition.

[The size of the bile duct by echograph. A study]. / Étude par échographie des dimensions du conduit cholédoque.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this work was to determine the size of the bile duct by echograph. The frequent injuries of the bile duct in various pathologies in particular infection, made of it a very investigated organ especially by echograph. Its size can be modified by various pathologies. So it is of interest to know about its normal size. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Sixty normal subjects, among which 29 women, were examined by echograph in the university hospital of the Point G. They were voluntary subjects with an empty stomach for 12 hours. Three different sonographers successively performed this examination according to the same protocol with an Aloka SSD 1700 device type and a Kontron Medical/Imagic Maestro. These devices were provided with a convex probe of 3.5-megahertz multifrequency and with a linear probe of 7.5-megahertz. The subjects were in dorsal position. Reference points for the display of the bile duct were the liver, the gallbladder and the pancreas. The limits of the bile duct were marked by the cursor of the echograph. The transverse diameter (in mm) of the bile duct was measured in its origin and in its ending. No subject of the sample was obese enough to hamper the visibility of the gall-bladder and the bile duct and no subject had histories of cholecystectomy. Data analysis was made using the software Ear information version 6. The difference between variables was considered as significant when P<0,05. RESULTS: Forty subjects out of 60 were between 20 and 39 years old. The transverse diameter of the bile duct was measured 38 times (63.3%) in its origin and 50 times (83.3%) in its ending. The failure of visibility of the proximal segment was 37.7% and the failure of visibility of the distal segment of the bile duct was 17.7%. The average transverse diameter of the bile duct in its origin was 2.61.4 mm; extremes were 2 and 5 mm. The average transverse diameter of the bile duct in its ending was 3.10.7 mm; extremes were 2 and 5 mm. The transverse diameter of the bile duct in its origin of the subjects was contained between 3 and 4 mm in 80% of the cases. The transverse diameter of the bile duct in its ending of the subjects was contained between 3 and 4 mm in 40% of the cases. The difference was very significant between the diameter of the bile duct in its origin and in its ending (P<10(-6)). CONCLUSION: The distal segment of the bile duct was seen more accurately than the proximal segment by echograph. The diameter of the bile duct in its ending was significantly superior to that of the bile duct in its origin.

[Companions of surgical patients at the university hospital of Point G, Bamako]. / L'Accompagnement Des Patients Chirurgicaux Par Le Corps Social Au CHU Du Point G Bamako.

AIMS: Determine the median number of accompanying by patient, the nature of the bonds between accompanying and patient, to describe the contribution of accompanying in the assumption of responsibility by the patients. METHODS: It was about an exploratory study which proceeded in the Department of surgery B of the CHU of the Point G in Bamako, from October 2001 at January 2002. It related to the whole of the patients having been hospitalized during at least 24 hours and their accompanying as well. RESULTS: We recruited 100 patients profiting all from an accompaniment. The total frequency of the accompaniment was of 100%. The middle age of accompanying was 38.3 years. The female sex was prevalent (59.2%). The most frequent occupations were the housewives in 30.3%. The number of accompanying by patient varied from 1 to 4. Accompanying were especially the son or daughter in 27 cases (19.0%), husband or wife in 18 cases (12.8%), Mother in 14 cases (9.9%), father in 12 cases (8.5%). The contribution of accompanying with the patients was: financial contribution in 34.5% of the cases. The technical personnel was considered as being not available by 45.8% of accompanying, not very courteous by 52.1%, not very accessible by 52.8%. CONCLUSION: The accompaniment of the patient by his close relations in the hospital structures is a phenomenon of great vitality in Africa. It mitigates the insufficiency of medical staff significantly.

[Factors affecting nosocomial infection in the surgery setting at the Hospital of Point "G"]. / Facteurs influencant l'infection nosocomiale en milieu chirurgical à l'Hôpital du Point "G".

Nosocomial infections are a common and increasing problem globally, and particularly in Africa. The significant economic burden of these infections on the health care system as well as their impact on patient morbidity and mortality is well recognised within the medical communities.The goal of this study was to investigate factors that influence nosocomial infection in all in-patients from the surgery wards (surgery ward A and B, Gynoeco-obstetrics, urology and intensive care) at the national hospital of Point G in Bamako, Mali. We report the number of nosocomial infection during a prospective study between June 2003 and January 2004. Of 1043 in-patients, 102 had had a nosocomial infection with a global prevalence of 9.7% (8.0-11.4). Of 1024 patients with surgery, 101 had had a nosocomial infection, a post-surgery nosocomial infection rate of 9.8% (8.1-11.5). We observed different site of nosocomial infection such as suppuration sup-aponevrotics (41.2%), parietal infection sub-aponevrotics (32.4%), urinary infection (17.6%) and organ suppuration (3.9%). Other nosocomial infection observed were pneumonia (2.9%) and catheterisation (2.0%). The nosocomial infection rate was 10.3% in male while it was 7.3% in female. The difference between male and female was not statistically significative (chi2 = 2.33, p = 0.12). Nosocomial infection was more prevalent in patients after emergency surgery (15.1%) than in scheduled surgery patients (8.5%) (chi2 = 8.15, p = 0.004). The classes III and IV of ALTEMEIER had the higher proportion of nosocomial infection (35.9%) against 4.8% for the classes I and II (chi2 = 144.95, p < 0.001). The patients with ASA score I had a lower nosocomial infection rate than patients from the intensive care unit or patients of Class II + III + IV (chi2 = 13.2, p = 0.001). Patients classified according to the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (NNISS) with a score 0 had a nosocomial infection rate less than patients classified as NNISS score 1, 2 or 3 (chi2 = 82.0, p < 0.001). The study results underline the need for further investigations of the role of microbial agents and antimicrobial resistance in the outcome of patients with nosocomial infection.

[Abnormal features of the sub renal portion of the inferior vena cava]. / Anomalies de la veine cave inférieure sous rénale.

AIM: to determine the frequency of the abnormal anatomical features affecting the inferior vena cava (IVC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: we performed 161 dissections of the ICV on fresh (145) or formaldehyde-injected (16) cadavers. There were 86 men and 75 women. RESULTS: we found two abnormalities of the IVC: one left IVC in a woman and one double IVC in a man. These malformations can be explained by the embryology of the IVC. DISCUSSION: the frequency of abnormalities of the IVC is highly variable according to the studies: Richardson (1983) found 3% for the duplication of the IVC. Other malformations have been reported: double IVC, left IVC or right IVC with azygos prolongation. We never observed such associations in our study. Left IVC could be explained by the development of the left supra-cardinal vein and by that of the left sub-cardinal and intercardinal anastomoses. Double IVC corresponds either to the development of the left supra-cardinal vein or to the persistence of the left cardinal vein or the left sub-cardinal vein. CONCLUSION: abnormalities of the ICV dysplay different anatomical features due to the complexity of the embryogenesis of this vessel; their frequency is far from being rare. Unknowing these abnormalities could lead to severe haemorrhages during surgical interventions on the retroperitoneal, cardiac or oesophageal regions.

A descriptive, retrospective study of 567 accidental blood exposures in healthcare workers in three West African countries.

We conducted a multi-centre study in West African hospital wards to document accidental blood exposure (ABE) risks in these settings, and assessed the incidence of ABE in participating healthcare workers (HCWs) retrospectively. In total, 1241 HCWs participated in the survey from 43 hospital wards. Among them, 567 (45.7%) had sustained at least one ABE with an estimated incidence of 0.33 percutaneous injuries (PCIs) and 0.04 mucocutaneous contacts (MCCs)/HCW/year in medical or intensive care personnel and 1.8 PCIs/HCW/year in surgeons. The ABE was a needlestick in 454 (80.1%) of 567 cases, a cut in 19 cases (3.4%), a splash or contact with non-intact skin in 87 cases (15.3%), and was undocumented in seven cases (1.2%). The source patient's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus was positive in 74 cases (13.1%), negative in 65 cases (11.5%), and unknown in 416 cases (73.4%). The ABE was not notified in the ward in 392 cases (69.1%). Healthcare structures can improve HCWs' safety and reduce the stigma against HIV-infected patients by improving access to training, information, primary prevention (ABE prevention equipment) and secondary prevention (postexposure prophylaxis) of occupational infection risks.

[Portal vein: echographic anatomy]. / Veine porte: anatomie échographique.

The principal descriptions of the portal vein are mainly on the results of the dissections of the corpses. The aim of the work was to determine the usual sizes of the portal vein on the alive subject by echography. From the same machine, 3 ultrasonographers studied the anatomy of the portal vein of the volunteers according to a standardized methodology. The study was about 60 old people from 11 to 82 years old, whom 31 were males (51.7%) and 29 females (48.3%). The transverse diameter of the portal vein, originally varied between 8 and 10 mms un 57.9% of cases. The average was 9.05 mms +/- 2.82 and the extremes varied from 5 to 16 mm. The transverse diameter of the portal vein, at the end varied between 8 and 10 mms. The average was 9.16 mms +/- 2.58 and the extremes varied between 6 and 16 mms. In 29.8% of cases, the length of the portal vein was between 61 and 70 mms and in 8.8% between 81 and 100 mms. The average was 58.0 +/- 22.3 mms. Before its entry into the liver, the portal vein is divided into 3 branches in 2 cases (3.3%). The study showed a significant change of the length of the portal vein according the age and sex.

[Anatomical variations of the brachial plexus]. / Variations anatomiques du plexus brachial.

Important variations exist in the brachial plexus (Kaufmann, Cunningham, Kerr, Lee). Perivascular techniques of brachial plexus block used sometimes use important quantities of anaesthesia product. It seems that certain surgical treatment failures of brachial plexus lesions are related to the brachial plexus variations (Bonnel). Our aim is to study the brachial plexus variations and its relations from the cervical region to brachial region. We dissected twenty-three brachial plexus (13 women and 10 men, fresh or injected by formalin). We studied the brachial plexus anatomic variations and its relations. We found the anatomic variations at the level of different parts of brachial plexus: Trunk: 8 cases (34.8%); Terminal branch: 8 cases (34.8%); brachial plexus tract: 1 case (4.3%); collateral branch: 1 case (4.3%); in 5 cases we didn't find any abnormalities. Some studies show the frequency of 4th cervical root (C4) participation in brachial plexus. Kerr found 65.9%. It was 30.4% of C4 participation in brachial plexus in our series. Among the 8 cases of terminal branch variations in our series, two (8.7%) musculocutaneous was low source. The brachial plexus variations could fail the brachial plexus loco-regional anaesthesia. In the surgical treatment of brachial plexus lesions, the surgeon must know brachial plexus anatomical variations perfectly.

[Human "pancreatic" bladder. Two case reports]. / Vésicule "pancréatique" chez l'homme. A propos de deux observations.

The aim of this study is to report two similar cases with an "accessory biliary duct" confluent to the main pancreatic duct. There was pancreatic juice inside the "gallbladder". There was no connection between "accessory biliary duct" and intra or extrahepatic biliary ducts. This anomalous junction of the "cystic duct" and the main pancreatic duct may be explained by embryology. These two cases could be the first human "pancreatic" bladders reported.