Management of gastro-intestinal emergencies in patients with ileal conduit ureteral diversion.

Radical cystectomy with urinary deviation is performed increasingly in France. Ileal conduit ureteral diversion (ICUD), described by Bricker and widely used after this type of radical resection, leads to substantial anatomic modifications that are potential danger zones during subsequent gastro-intestinal or urinary tract operations. Injury to the urinary diversion apparatus can lead to disastrous complications in these patients who are often elderly and frail. General surgeons are most often called upon to re-operate these patients, either for an ICUD-related gastro-intestinal complication, or for an unrelated abdominal emergency that arises later (bowel obstruction, infection, cancer). During such operations, certain anatomic structures are particularly exposed to injury that may be irreversible, particularly, the mesentery of the ileal conduit and the left ureter. Approaching the right lower quadrant, the dissection of the ileo-ileal anastomosis or of the left mesocolon are the procedures or maneuvers that pose the most risk. A number of simple but effective preventive measures are available and must be known, such as to operate the patient with an urologist or to insert ureteral stents before surgery. Preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography with late phase urinary imaging is essential to assess the anatomic modifications and anticipate the operative procedural steps. Finally, one should not hesitate to disinsert the stoma and proceed with retrograde dissection, thus facilitating the identification of the ileal conduit, the mesentery and the ureters.

[Partial thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum: A new case with good outcomes under non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]. / Thrombose partielle des corps caverneux : un nouveau cas avec évolution favorable sous anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens.

Partial priapism is a rare pathology with less than 60 cases published in the literature; the etiology remains unknown, although certain favorable factors are identified as having in relation a prolonged perineal compression or a thrombopathy. The symptomatology is characterized by the appearance of pain, perineal edema and an induration of the root of the penis, which do not concern the distal part of the penis or the glans. MRI is the best complementary examination. The first-line surgical treatment is abandoned. Medical treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or low molecular weight heparins combined with platelet aggregation inhibitors give good results with complete resolution of symptoms in 82% of cases; first-line medical treatment should be favored. We report a case of idiopathic partial priapism, successfully treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory without recurrence after 10 years.

History of first transplantations: Nothing is ever written. Part II.

The history of the first transplants is an ideal model for analyzing the different stages of disruptive innovation in surgery. Pioneers have often taken paths that were strewn with pitfalls, mistakes or failures. Sometimes victory, brilliant or more modest, lies at the end of this path. We propose to re-explore the extraordinary pathways that led to the first transplantations of the kidney, liver, lung and heart. That these first transplants should one day become possible required the concurrence of several factors: basic research, laboratory work to perfect the surgical techniques, a favorable legislative and societal context, and, above all, pioneering surgeons who would dare to apply their expertise to human subjects. Initial failures were not technical but immunological. Not everything would be perfect, especially ethical questions in some cases. Furthermore, initial results often humbled the greatest surgeons. Even though the historical and legislative contexts have evolved considerably as have science, society and the organization of the health system, this analysis of the past is rich in lessons for the modern surgeon who wishes to embark today along innovative pathways in the face of a still unresolved problem. Because nothing is ever carved in stone.

History of transplantation: Nothing is ever written. Part I.

The history of the first transplants is an ideal model for analyzing the different stages of disruptive innovation in surgery. Pioneers have often taken paths that were strewn with pitfalls, mistakes or failures. Sometimes victory, brilliant or more modest, lies at the end of this path. We propose to re-explore the extraordinary pathways that led to the first transplantations of the kidney, liver, lung and heart. That these first transplants should one day become possible required the concurrence of several factors: basic research, laboratory work to perfect the surgical techniques, a favorable legislative and societal context, and, above all, pioneering surgeons who would dare to apply their expertise to human subjects. Initial failures were not technical but immunological. Not everything would be perfect, especially ethical questions in some cases. Furthermore, initial results often humbled the greatest surgeons. Even though the historical and legislative contexts have evolved considerably as have science, society and the organization of the health system, this analysis of the past is rich in lessons for the modern surgeon who wishes to embark today along innovative pathways in the face of a still unresolved problem. Because nothing is ever carved in stone.

[A case of hepatitis C virus possible transmission following a transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy]. / Un cas de possible transmission du virus de l'hépatite C au décours d'une biopsie transrectale échoguidée de prostate.

The prostate biopsy is a current and well-codified act. To date, there have been no reported risks of viral transmission between patients linked to contaminated ultrasound probe. We report the case of a patient having contracted the virus of hepatitis C after transrectal prostate biopsy during an individual screening of prostate cancer.

Organ procurement from donors deceased from cardiac death: a single-center efficiency assessment.

Organ donation after cardiac death has been used for kidney and liver procurement in France since 2006. Until recently, most teams relied on in situ cold perfusion to prepare the donor before organ retrieval. Our team has used since 2007 normothermic abdominal recirculation. While this technique is presumed to be more difficult to implement, it also ensures a lower rate of primary nonfunction when compared to in situ cold perfusion. We present the efficiency results of our organ donation after cardiac death program. After 3 years, we have been able to establish a program in which we use normothermic abdominal recirculation in 97% of donors after cardiac death. The yearly efficiency of this program is comparable to the national efficiency of organ procurement from conventional deceased donors in France.

[Torsion of spermatic cord: can we trust a previous orchidopexy? A case report with loss of a single testis with medico-legal issue]. / Torsion du cordon spermatique: faut-il faire confiance à un antécédent d'orchidopexie? À propos d'un cas ayant entraîné la perte d'un testicule unique avec conséquences médicolégales.

The authors report the case of a patient aged of 27 years who presented in the past a testicular torsion with loss of the ipsilateral testis and fixation of the contralateral one. Ten years later, he presented with pain on the remaining testis, which evolved to necrosis, and led to a second orchidectomy. In retrospective, it appears that the assumption that the testis had been adequately fixed ten years earlier led to the loss of the remaining testis. We thus recommend an urgent surgical exploration when facing a suspicion of spermatic cord torsion, regardless of previous history of orchidopexy.

[Should temperature be monitorized during kidney allograft preservation?]. / Faut-il monitorer la température pendant la phase de préservation en transplantation rénale ?

GOAL: It is generally considered that kidney grafts should be preserved at 4 degrees C during cold storage. However, actual temperature conditions are not known. We decided to study the temperature levels during preservation with the Biotainer storage can and Vitalpack transport pack. MATERIAL: Temperature was monitored using the Thermobouton probe during preservation of pig kidneys, in the same conditions used with human grafts. The probe recorded the temperature level every 10 minutes during four days. We compared the results found with the new storage can with results obtained in the same conditions with the storage can formerly used by our team. We also studied the best position of the probe for temperature monitoring and the influence of the amount of ice within the transport pack on the temperature level. We then monitored the temperature during the conservation of actual human kidney grafts harvested at our institution from August 2007 to May 2008. RESULTS: The temperature levels were the same regardless of the position of the probe within the transport pack. The lowest temperature was maintained during 15 hours, and the temperature level stayed below 5 degrees C for 57 hours with the new storage can. The former storage can maintained the lowest temperature level for 80 minutes, and temperature reached 5 degrees C after 10 hours 40 minutes. Temperature levels were similar when 2 or 4 kg of crushed ice were used. We observed similar results when monitoring the conservation of human grafts. CONCLUSION: The new storage can affords more stable temperature levels when compared to the formerly used can. Since temperature is stable during conservation, continuous monitoring in everyday practice does not seem warranted.

Kidney transplantation in HIV-positive patients: report of our first 7 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although many teams initially were reluctant to offer kidney transplantation as a therapeutic option in HIV-positive patients with ESRD, new drug regimens introduced in the late 1990s have dramatically improved the life expectancy in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To report the results of the first 7 kidney transplantation procedures in HIV-positive patients at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were selected to minimize the risks of HIV disease progression, opportunistic infections, and tumors. Protease-inhibitor therapies were suspended because of possible interaction with immunosuppression drugs. The induction regimen did not include lymphocyte-depleting drugs. After undergoing transplantation, patients were monitored by the transplantation and infectious disease teams. RESULTS: To date, all patients are alive with functioning grafts. We did not observe any episodes of acute rejection, and there were few adverse events. Drug tolerance was good for both immunosuppression and antiretroviral therapies. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplantation in HIV-positive patients with ESRD is warranted. Provided that patients are carefully selected, good results can be achieved with few adverse events, episodes of acute rejection, and drug interactions. Posttransplantation, these patients must be closely monitored by both the transplantation and infectious diseases teams to ensure optimal management.

Systematic microbiological tests in kidney transplantation and their value in predicting posttransplantation infection.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive therapy has many side effects among which is an increased infectious risk for the recipient. Transmission of pathogens from the graft to the recipient has not been well evaluated; there are no guidelines regarding the need for microbiological tests on the graft prior to transplantation. We routinely performed such tests to evaluate the risk and determine whether a patient should receive preemptive antibiotic therapy after transplantation. We herein have reported our preliminary results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 150 consecutive renal transplantations from cadaveric heart-beating donors. Microbiological tests were systematically performed not only on the preservation solution, but also on graft artery, vein, ureter, and perirenal fat. We reviewed the recipient's medical history for clinically significant infectious episodes in the first month after transplantation. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of all microbiological tests were positive with 23 patients showing multiple positive tests, 74% of which were concordant. We documented 3 cases of direct graft-to-recipient pathogen transmission, all of which presented with 3 positive concordant tests. Graft culture prior to transplantation is often positive, but in more than half of the cases positive tests are either isolated or discordant. We only treated patients with concordant test results; no adverse consequence was observed among the untreated patients. Transmission occurred only in patients with at least 3 concordant tests. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple microbiological tests on the graft prior to transplantation seemed useful to determine which patients would benefit from preemptive antibiotic therapy. Further studies may help to define which microbiological tests are the most important.

Use of the SCOT solution in kidney transplantation: preliminary report.

SUBJECT: This article reports preliminary findings relating to the use of a new preservation solution, the Solution de Conservation des Organes et des Tissus (SCOT), in renal transplantation. This fourth-generation solution combines an extracellular-like composition with 20 kDa polyethylene-glycol, known for its cell-protection capacity and immunocamouflage properties. METHODS: We have reported preliminary data obtained in 29 transplantations (25 cadaveric donors and 4 living related donors) between December 2004 and November 2005. The SCOT solution was used for both in situ flush and static preservation. We compared primary organ nonfunction and delayed graft function rates as well as blood creatinine levels in recipients of grafts processed with SCOT solution, versus University of Wisconsin solution (paired for age with the previous group) and with EuroCollins solution (historic data). RESULTS: We observed delayed graft-function in 10% of the SCOT-processed group, 14% in the University of Wisconsin solution group, and 23% of the EuroCollins group. No case of primary organ nonfunction was reported. Creatinine levels in both SCOT and University of Wisconsin solution groups were similar. We did not observe any humoral or cellular graft rejection in the first 3 months after transplantation. In light of these preliminary results, the use of SCOT is safe for kidney preservation in the human setting. Further experience is warranted to assess the clinical consequences of its immunocamouflage properties as described in animal models.

[Late rejection of Mersylene mesh used for promontory fixation with colonic obstruction]. / Intolérance des bandelettes de Mersylène dans les suites tardives d'une promontofixation responsable d'un syndrome occlusif colique.

We describe a case of colonic obstruction in a 48-year-old woman, 3. 5 years after surgery for genito-urinary prolapse. The causal agent was the Mersylene mesh used for promontory fixation. Late rejection of this kind of prosthesis has been described previously, but such a digestive complication is exceptional.

[Spermatic cord torsion in the newborn: role of surgical exploration]. / Torsion du cordon spermatique chez le nouveau-né: que faut-il attendre de l'exploration chirurgicale?

UNLABELLED: Torsion of the spermatic cord is frequent in neonates suffering from acute scrotal distress. A retrospective study was carried out to determine the viability and the outcome of testis treated by surgical exploration. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: Surgical exploration of 30 neonates presenting acute scrotal distress found: 18 torsions of the spermatic cord, six intrascrotal bleedings or hematoma due to delivery trauma, five tunica vaginalis inflammations and one ischemia without torsion. The torsion occurred in utero in 16 cases and after birth in two cases. The contralateral uninvolved testis was fixed to the scrotum in all cases. The torsion was extravaginal in 17 cases and intravaginal in one case. In all cases of prenatal torsion, there was total necrosis of the testis. One case of postnatal torsion operated on four hours after the beginning of the torsion was saved. CONCLUSION: Although the viability of the torsioned testis is compromised in cases of prenatal torsion, surgical exploration is necessary to confirm diagnosis and to avoid any contralateral torsion because bilateral torsion exists. Only emergency surgical exploration can save a testis that has undergone post-natal torsion as reported in others series.

[Assessment of hemorrhage risk of transvesical prostatectomy with bladder neck cerclage]. / Evaluation du risque hémorragique des adénomectomies transvésicales avec cerclage du col.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of blood loss and predictive factors of haemorrhagic complications of transvesical prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1994 to December 1998, 202 patients with a mean age of 70.5 +/- 7.4 years (range: 46.6-89.3 years) were operated for benign prostatic hyperplasia with a mean prostate weight of 86 +/- 33 g. Transvesical prostatectomy was performed with bladder neck cerclage and suction drainage of the prostatectomy site for 48 hours. 107 patients donated blood preoperatively (mean: 2.8 +/- 0.7 units) to allow possible autotransfusion. Blood losses were evaluated by determining haematocrit during hospitalisation, the quantity of blood collected intraoperatively and the presence of postoperative bleeding possibly requiring surgical revision. RESULTS: The calculated overall blood loss was 435 +/- 306 ml of RBC, i.e. 1783 ml for an haematocrit of 30%. A high ASA score was significantly related with higher blood loss and preoperative anticoagulant treatment. No predictive factor for intraoperative bleeding (mean: 519 +/- 327 ml) was identified. Absence of the median lobe and a high ASA score were also predictive factors of postoperative bleeding. Age, operating time, prostate weight, recent urinary tract infection, preoperative drainage, preoperative haematocrit, and preoperative blood donation (autotransfusion) did not significantly influence the volume of blood loss. CONCLUSION: Apart from the ASA score, no predictive factor for the severity of bleeding associated with transvesical prostatectomy was defined in order to identify a group of patients at higher risk of severe bleeding.

[Epidermoid cancer of the kidney pelvis]. / Cancer épidermoïde du bassinet.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis is a rare tumour, mainly occurring in elderly patients with neglected and secondarily infected pyelocaliceal stones. It has a poor prognosis. The authors report the case of a 74-year old man with a destroyed and painful kidney containing a staghorn calculus for 30 years. The preoperative diagnosis was pyonephrosis, but nephrectomy, justified by the symptoms, showed that the kidney was invaded by a squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis invading the psoas. The patient died 1 month after the operation. Treatment is essentially preventive by removal of staghorn calculi and management of chronic urinary tract infections.

[Primary lymphoma of the bladder]. / Le lymphome primitif de la vessie.

The authors report two cases of primary non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma of the bladder. In contra with secondary site, which are not rare, primary malignant lymphomas of the bladder wall are exceptional. Urinary symptoms are varied and nonspecific. These tumours cannot be distinguished from other bladder tumours on the basis of their radiological or endoscopic appearance. Only histology provides the diagnosis. The pathophysiological hypotheses are discussed. Treatment is mainly based on chemotherapy. Endoscopic drainage procedures are sometimes useful, as in one of the reported cases.

Laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children under 1 year of age with unilateral inguinal hernia: comparison with herniography.

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) in children with unilateral inguinal hernia was evaluated. METHODS: Ninety-three consecutive children under the age of 1 year were operated on for a unilateral inguinal hernia. A contralateral CPPV was diagnosed by laparoscopy via the inguinal hernia sac before ligation. The laparoscopy results of this technique were correlated with those of herniography or inguinal exploration. RESULTS: Laparoscopy was performed on 88 patients; sensitivity was 71% and specificity 89%. The only complication arising from the procedure was wound infection in two patients. CONCLUSION: This method is a simple, safe, and accurate procedure for selecting children for contralateral surgical exploration.

[Treatment of complicated renal colic in patients treated with indinavir: value of double J stents]. / Traitement des coliques néphrétiques compliquées chez les patients traités par indinavir: intérêt des endoprothèses double J.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the treatment of complicated ureteric stones in patients treated with indinavir. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 1997 to May 1998, 10 patients (7 males, 3 females, aged 30 to 56 years), treated by triple combination therapy for HIV infection, were drained for stones attributed to indinavir (CRIXIVAN), which had become obstructive and complicated. The duration of treatment with indinavir ranged from 14 days to 2 years. No patient had a history of urological disease. One patient presented with bilateral stones. All patients presented complicated clinical features: fever in 3 cases; severe pain in 8 cases, with delayed excretion more than 4 hours on IVU in 6 cases. All stones were radiolucent except for one slightly radioopaque stone. The stone was situated in the lumbar ureter in 3 cases, iliac ureter in 1 case and pelvic ureter in 8 cases. RESULTS: In 10 out of 11 cases, a double J stent was inserted, preceded by drainage by simple ureteric catheter (infected urine) in 1 case and by percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) with antegrade insertion of the stent (failure of the retrograde route) in 1 case. No complementary stone fragmentation or extraction treatment was necessary after this procedure. Stents were left in place for 3 to 7 weeks. In one case, a stone of the lumbar ureter required PCN followed by extracorporeal lithotripsy. CONCLUSION: In the case of complications requiring a urological procedure, insertion of a double J stent allows curative treatment of very friable indinavir stones, which are fragmented by passage of the stent.

[Treatment of appendiceal peritonitis in children by video laparoscopic conversion: conversion is not a one-way procedure]. / Traitement de la péritonite appendiculaire de l'enfant par conversion en vidéolaparoscopie: la conversion n'est pas à sens unique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This method was used in 14 children, seven boys and seven girls, aged from 2.7 to 14 years, with acute appendicitis and peritonitis. RESULTS: Conversion to median laparotomy was necessary in order to perform adhesiolysis in two cases in which small bowel was observed. Postoperative complications occurred in four patients involving three wound infections and one mechanical intestinal obstruction. There was no intra-abdominal abscess. CONCLUSION: This procedure allows appendectomy by an open classical approach to be performed, and subsequently allows the treatment of the generalized peritonitis by video laparoscopy, usually without median laparotomy.

Acute scrotal pain in children: results of 543 surgical explorations.

A total of 543 boys suffering from acute scrotal pain underwent emergency surgery between 1986 and 1996. Of these, 91 had a testicular torsion (TT) (16.8%) and 250 had an appendage torsion (AT) (46%). The cause varied with patient age, with most TTs in newborns and boys of 15 years and most ATs in 10-11-year-olds; 21.5% were operated upon within 6 h of the onset of pain and 69.2% within 24 h. Most stayed in hospital for less than 24 h. Pre-surgical examination identified no criterion for excluding TT. We therefore believe that all children complaining of acute scrotal pain should undergo surgery. As release of an inflamed AT reduces pain, three-fourths of the children benefited directly from surgery.