Management of Umbilical Hernia in African Children: The Experience of 2146 Cases.

Aims: Umbilical hernia (UH) is common in African and African-descent children. In high-income countries (HICs), it is considered benign, which is not the case in Sub-Saharan ones. Through this study, we aimed to share our experience. Materials and Methods: A descriptive review was conducted from January 01, 2012 to December 31, 2017 at Albert Royer National Children's Hospital Center. Among the 2499 patients, 2146 cases were included in the review. Results: UH had a frequency of 6.5%, with patients having a mean age of 2.6 years, with a male preponderance of 63%. Emergency consultation occurred in 37.1%. The symptomatic hernia was present in 90.9%. The congenital type was found in 96%, a history of painful episodes was reported in 46%, and medical and surgical comorbidities were found in 30.1% and 16.4%, respectively. Multimodal anesthesia was used in 93.1%. A lower umbilical crease incision was made in 83.2%, the sac was not empty in 16.3%, and additional umbilicoplasty was performed in 16.3%. During a 14-month follow-up, a complication occurred in 6.5% and mortality in 0.05%. Conclusion: In our region, the pediatric UH was predominantly symptomatic, with its natural evolution leading to more complications than in HICs. Its management carried acceptable morbidity.

[Management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in sub-Saharan Africa: experience in the Albert Royer National Children's Hospital Center, Senegal]. / Prise en charge de la hernie diaphragmatique congénitale en Afrique sub-Saharienne: l'expérience du Centre Hospitalier National d'Enfants Albert Royer au Sénégal.

Introduction: congenital diaphragmatic hernia has been rarely reported in Africa. It can manifests early or late. Prognosis mainly depends on associated malformations. The purpose of this study is to report our experience in the Albert Royer National Children's Hospital, Dakar, Senegal. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of patients treated for congenital diaphragmatic hernia between January 2010 and December 2019. Results: twelve patients were enrolled, with an average age of 8.9 months. Bochdalek hernias were detected in 10 patients. The most common symptoms were respiratory symptoms (83.3%), followed by digestive symptoms (41.6%). Thoraco-abdominal X-ray was used to make a diagnosis in all patients. Three patients underwent preoperative stabilization. All patients underwent laparotomy. Hernia sac was found in 10 patients, and 50% of patients had a defect measuring between 5 and 10 cm. The postoperative course was simple in 10 patients; a polymalformed patient died. Conclusion: congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a reality in our environment; it most often manifests beyond the neonatal period. Prognosis is generally good in our context.

Factors associated with mortality in congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract in a tertiary center in Senegal.

Objective: Patients with congenital malformations (CMs) of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) have a very high mortality. However, the literature on the factors associated with mortality in these patients is scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study is to identify independent risk factors for mortality in patients with CMs of the GIT at our pediatric surgical department. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of cases with CMs of the GIT managed at a tertiary center from 2018 to 2021. Patients were subdivided into two groups based on the outcomes, and variables with a significant difference were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: Our review included 226 patients, 63 of whom died (27.88%). Patient age ranged from 0 to 15 years. Taking into account statistical significance, mortality was more frequent in neonates than in older patients (57.30% vs 6.15%), in patients coming out of the Dakar area than in those from the Dakar area (43.75% vs 19.18%), in patients with abnormal prenatal ultrasound than in those with normal ultrasound (100% vs 26.67%), in premature children than in those born at term (78.57% vs 21.87%), in patients with an additional malformation than in those with an isolated malformation (69.23% vs 25.35%), and in those with intestinal, esophageal, duodenal and colonic atresia than in those with other diagnoses (100%, 89%, 56.25% and 50%, respectively). Referred patients died more than those who changed hospitals or came from home (55.29% vs 25% and 9.09%, respectively). On multivariable logistic regression, two independent factors of mortality were identified: presence of associated malformation [odds ratio (OR)=13.299; 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.370 to 129.137] and diagnosis of esophageal atresia (OR=46.529; 95% CI 5.828 to 371.425). Conclusion: The presence of an associated malformation or diagnosis of esophageal atresia increases mortality in patients with CMs of the GIT in our environment.

Choledochal cyst in children in dakar: Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

CONTEXT: Choledochal cyst is a rare malformation that mainly affects girls. AIMS: The aim of this work is to report the diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of bile duct cyst in children in Dakar. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: we conducted a prospective monocentre descriptive study from 1 July, 2016, to 30 June, 2019, in the Pediatric Surgery Department of Albert Royer Children's Hospital in Dakar. The studied parameters featured clinical, biological, radiological, therapeutic and evolutionary data. Overall, ten patients, including eight girls and two boys, were selected. RESULTS: Two patients presented the classic triple-syndrome complex featuring an abdominal pain, an abdominal mass and jaundice. Most of the patients presented a symptomatology associating abdominal pain and vomiting. Biological cholestasis syndrome was present in six cases and biological cytolysis syndrome in five cases. The abdominal ultrasound-computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the diagnosis and helped to set the Todani classification with a predominance of Types 1 and 4. Surgical treatment by laparotomy consisted of total excision of the cyst followed by a Y-en-Roux hepatico-jejunal anastomosis in nine cases, whereas we performed a drainage of the cyst in one case. Two patients presented a morbidity of anastomotic suture release and evisceration and had a good outcome after surgical repair. There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of choledochal cyst dilatation (CCD) can be suspected in the postnatal period on the basis of a gastro-intestinal symptomatology with or without associated to jaundice. The combination ultrasound-abdominal CT-scan helps set the diagnosis. The laparatomic approach always has its place for the management of CCD, especially in our context.

[Cryptorchidism in Prune Belly syndrome]. / La Cryptorchidie dans le Syndrome de Prune Belly.

PURPOSE: To analyze the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of cryptorchidism in Prune Belly syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This is a retrospective and descriptive study over an 11-year period involving 24 cases of children admitted for cryptorchidism that is part of Prune Belly syndrome in the paediatric surgery department of the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar. We were interested in epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects. RESULTS: The incidence of cryptorchidism in Prune Belly syndrome was 2.4 cases per year. The average age of discovery was 1 year and the age of testicular lowering was 20 months. The bilateral form predateed with 91.7% of cases. Simple orchidopexia was practiced in 50% of cases. An orchidopexia using the Fowler-Stephens technique in one time was practiced in 45.8% of cases. A right orchidectomy was needed in 4.2% of cases. Surgical procedures were simple in 47.8% of the lowered testicles. The most common complication was testicular atrophy noted primarily in the Fowler-Stephens technique in a single time. CONCLUSION: Cryptorchidism in Prune Belly syndrome is most often bilateral and the testicle was frequently palpable. His diagnosis remains very late in our context. Given the number of testicular atrophies driven by the Fowler-Stephens technique in one time, it should be abandoned in favour of the Fowler-Stephens technique in two stages.

BUT: Analyser les aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs de la cryptorchidie dans le syndrome de Prune Belly. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODE: Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective et descriptive sur une période de 11 ans portant sur 24 cas d'enfants admis pour une cryptorchidie qui entre dans le cadre du syndrome de Prune Belly au service de chirurgie pédiatrique du centre hospitalier universitaire Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar. Nous nous sommes intéressés aux aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs. RÉSULTATS: L'incidence de la cryptorchidie dans le cadre du syndrome de Prune Belly était de 2,4 cas par an. L'âge moyen de découverte était de 1 an et celui de l'abaissement testiculaire était de 20 mois. La forme bilatérale prédominait avec 91,7% de cas. Une orchidopexie simple a été pratiquée dans 50% des cas. Une orchidopexie selon la technique de Fowler-Stephens en un temps a été pratiquée dans 45,8% des cas. Une orchidectomie droite était nécessaire chez 4,2% des cas. Les suites opératoires étaient simples chez 47,8% des testicules abaissés. La complication la plus fréquente était l'atrophie testiculaire notée essentiellement dans la technique de Fowler-Stephens en un seul temps. CONCLUSION: La cryptorchidie dans le cadre du syndrome de Prune Belly est le plus souvent bilatérale et le testicule était fréquemment palpable. Son diagnostic reste très tardif dans notre contexte. Au vu du nombre d'atrophies testiculaires entraîné par la technique Fowler-Stephens en un temps, elle devrait être abandonnée au profit de la technique de Fowler-Stephens en deux temps.

[Omphalomesenteric fistulas; epidemiological diagnostic and therapeutic features: study of four cases in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar]. / Fistules omphalo-mésenteriques; aspects épidémio logiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques: à propos de quatre observations au Service de Chirurgie Pédiatrique du CHU Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar.

This study aims to determine the epidemiological, therapeutic and diagnostic features of omphalomesenteric fistulas (OMF). We conducted a study of four cases over a period of 10 years, from January 2004 to December 2013. The parameters studied were: frequency, age, sex, clinical and radiological signs, therapeutic and evolutionary features. Frequency was 0.4 cases per year. Patients were aged 11 days, 40 days, 45 days and 3 years respectively (three girls and one boy). Clinical examination showed intestinal fluid discharge from the belly button and belly button bud catheterisable in all the cases. The bud was prolapsed in the patient aged 45 days. Fistulography performed in two cases helped to confirm the diagnosis by showing a communication between the fistula and the small intestine. The assessment of malformations revealed congenital cyanogen heart disease with interventricular communication in the newborn aged 45 days, anorectal cloacal malformation associated with urachus fistula in the newborn aged 11 days. All patients underwent surgery. Semicircular periumbilical incision was performed in the absence of associated abdominopelvic malformations. A communication between the fistula and the ileum was found in the majority of cases. Bowel resection with termino-terminal anastomosis was performed in three cases. Cuneiform resection was performed in one case and was completed by complete resection of the urachal fistulous tract and bladder suture, with colostomy in newborn with urachal fistula and anorectal cloacal malformation. The postoperative course was marked by non-febrile seizures in the first child with good evolution and by superficial parietal suppuration followed by death due to cardiac decompensation in the third case. Omphalomesenteric fistula is rare. Diagnosis is based on clinical examination complemented by the fistulography. Surgical treatment using semicircular periumbilical incision gives good results. However, the assessment of malformations is necessary.

[Transanal evisceration of small bowel caused by impalement in children: about a case]. / Eviscération transanale de l´intestin grêle par empalement chez l´enfant: à propos d´un cas.

Transanal evisceration of the small intestine caused by impalement is exceptional among children. We report the case of an 11-year old girl with intestinal loops eviscerating through the anus due to a fall on a sharp piece of wood which stuck into her, occurring two hours before hospitalization. On examination, his general condition was good, with transanal evisceration of approximately 25 cm of viable small bowel through the anus and abdominal tenderness. Preoperative laboratory tests were normal and no imaging test was performed. After resuscitation, surgical exploration was performed which showed serohematic fluid collection (300 ml) and evisceration of approximately 60 cm of inflammated intestinal loops through a rupture of approximately 5 cm of the anterior wall of the rectum. Reduction of the eviscerated intestinal loops by gentle traction, repair of the rectal wall by separated sutures, wash and drainage were performed. The patient received broad-spectrum antibiotic. The operating suites were simple with a resumption of transit two days after surgery. The patient was discharged seven days after surgery. After a follow-up period of one month, the patient came for a further consultation and clinical examination was normal.

Acute intestinal intussusception of the infant and the child: A 5-year study of 66 cases.

BACKGROUND: Acute intestinal intussusception (AII) is defined as the telescoping of part of the intestine into the intestinal segment beneath it. The consequence is an obstruction and strangulation which can lead to necrosis of the intestinal tract that has telescoped. The aim of our work is, on the one hand, to assess our management style throughout analysis of clinical different aspects and on the other hand to set up a strategy for early diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: It is a retrospective study over 5 years from 2010 to 2015 including infants and children who had been treated for AII in Albert Royer Children's Hospital. The following variables such as age, sex, past time before the surgical consultation, initial diagnosis, imaging data view, treatment technique and results were itemised to bear comparison. Sixty-six records were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age was 5.73 months with a range of 2 and 144 months. Boys constituted the majority of patients with a ratio of 2:1. Children were referred to us with the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction or gastroenteritis in 50% of cases. Past time average before consultation was 5.3 days with a range of 14 h and 30 days. Most of the patients underwent surgery within 48 h after the beginning of the clinical picture. An abdominal ultrasound scan confirmed the diagnosis of AII in 57 cases, whereas in 9 cases, it was normal or not contributive. Non-operative reduction by retrograde pneumatic pressure or barium enema represented 33.4% of patients against 56.6% for surgical treatment. We registered 5 deaths and 2 recurrences. AII remains the main cause of intestinal obstruction in infants. CONCLUSION: Authors stressed on delay in diagnosis with the treatment consequences belonging to that status and put emphasis in the importance of close collaboration between paediatricians, surgeons and radiologist for early diagnosis and nonoperative systematic reduction.

[Accidents of the everyday life (AcVC) in children in Dakar: about 201 cases]. / Les accidents de la vie courante chez l'enfant à Dakar: à propos de 201 cas.

Accidents of everyday life (AcVC) are common in children and can led to disabling injuries and death. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological aspects of AcVC and the related injury mechanisms in Dakar. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted from 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2013. All the children victims of domestic accidents, sport and leisure accidents or school accidents were included. We studied some general parameters and some parameters related to each type of AcVC. Two hundred and one children were included, accounting for 27% of emergency consultations. There were 148 boys and 53 girls. Children less than 5 years of age were most affected (37.8%). Football and wrestling game were the main causes of AcVC. AcVC occur mainly at home (58.2%) and in the areas of sport and recreation (31.8%). The fractures predominated in the different types of AcVC: 54.9% of domestic accidents, 68.8% of sport and recreation accidents and 40% of school accidents. From an epidemiological perspective, our results are superimposable to literature. Fractures predominated contrary to literature where bruises were preponderant. Wrestling game is the main cause of these fractures, after football. The acquisition of knowledge about the epidemiological aspects of AcVC and the related injury mechanisms will allow for prevention campaigns in Dakar.

[Volvulus of the small intestine caused by mesenteric lipoma]. / Volvulus du grêle sur lipome du mésentère.

We report the case of a 7-year old girl presenting with sub-occlusive syndrome associated with acute paroxysmal abdominal pain at the level of the upper abdomen, vomiting and no evacuation of faeces. Physical examination showed discomfort with palpation of the upper abdomen. Abdominal ultrasound showed poorly limited intraperitoneal tissue formation without vascular features on doppler, exercising a mass effect on the neighborhood structures; mesenteric vessels were in their normal position. This mass on CT scan scorresponded to a well limited lipomatous formation exercising a mass effect on the caecum associated with volvulus of the small intestine. The diagnosis of volvulus of the small intestine caused by mesenteric lipoma was retained. Surgical exploration confirmed this diagnosis. The patient underwent unrolling of the small intestine and lipoma enucleation. The postoperative course was uneventful after a follow-up of 6 months. Anatomo-pathological examination confirmed the lipomateuse nature of the mass.

Circumcision in hemophilia using low quantity of factor concentrates: experience from Dakar, Senegal.

BACKGROUND: Circumcision in hemophiliacs is a delicate surgery because of bleeding risks that could be avoided by adequate substitution of coagulation factor. This practice is very challenging in countries where anti hemophilic treatment is inaccessible. The study aimed to evaluate a circumcision protocol in hemophilia A using low quantities of factor concentrates. METHODS: This prospective study included 26 hemophiliacs A who underwent circumcision in 2014. Medical treatment protocol using low quantity of factor concentrates was drafted by physicians of the Hemophilia Treatment Center and the surgical protocol by experienced surgeons. Assessment criteria were: number of hospitalization days, number of exposure days to factor concentrates, delay to healing and occurrence of bleeding events. RESULTS: Mean age was 9.6 years (1-30). Hemophiliacs patients were classified as severe (n = 8), moderate (n = 9) and mild form (n = 9). Mean number of exposure days to factor VIII concentrates was 6.9 days (5-12) in children and 10.75 days (7-16) in adults (p = 0.0049); mean number of hospitalization days was 3.68 days (2-10) in children and 13.5 days (13-15) in adults (p = 0.0000); delay to healing was 26.47 days (20-35) in children and 25.25 days (22-30) in adults (p = 0.697); five haemophiliacs (19.2%) presented bleeding events after the circumcision. The mean amount of FIII concentrates used per patient was 1743 IU (810-2340). CONCLUSION: The study shows treatment protocol using low quantity of factor concentrates is efficient in hemophilia patients who underwent circumcision.

Pyloric atresia: a challenge in an underdeveloped country.

Pyloric atresia is a rare congenital malformation. We report a case in a 5-day newborn with pyloric atresia type C. Authors emphasize the diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic challenges in a resource-limited country.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Children: Preliminary Study in Pediatric Hospital Albert Royer, Dakar.

Appendiceal pathology's management has benefited in recent years from the advent of laparoscopic surgery. This study is to make a preliminary assessment of laparoscopic management of acute and complicated appendicitis in children after a few months of practice at the University Hospital Albert Royer, Dakar. This is a retrospective study of 22 cases of patients, all operated on by the same surgeon. The parameters studied were age, sex, clinical data and laboratory features, radiological data, and results of surgical treatment. The mean age of patients was 9.5 years with a male predominance. The series includes 14 cases of acute appendicitis and 8 complicated cases. Appendectomy anterograde is practiced in 81% of cases. Appendectomy was associated with peritoneal wash in 17 patients including 9 cases of acute appendicitis. Drainage of Douglas pouch is performed in 2 patients with complicated appendicitis; the average production was 300 cc of turbid liquids and any complications were not founded. An abscess of Douglas pouch is noted in 2 patients with complicated appendicitis undrained. These Douglas abscesses were treated medically. No conversion of laparotomy was performed in the series. After an average of 8 months no other problems were noted.