Evaluation de la prise en charge des cas graves de COVID-19 aux soins intensifs dans un environnement à ressources limitées: expérience du centre de traitement des épidemies (CTE) d'Allada / NA

Introduction : Dans sa politique de riposte contre la pandémie liée à l'infection au SARS-COV2, le Bénin a opté pour la construction d'Hôpitaux dédiés exclusivement à la prise en charge des COVID19. Pendant la première vague de la pandémie en Afrique, les systèmes de santé n'étaient pas encore bien outillés pour faire face à cette pandémie. Nous vous rapportons l'expérience des soins intensifs du Centre de traitement des épidémies (CTE) d'ALLADA. Objectifs : évaluer la prise en charges des cas graves de COVID19 à l'USI du CTE ALLADA. Matériels et méthode : Il s'est agi d'une étude prospective, descriptive et analytique, réalisée aux soins intensifs du centre de traitement des épidémies d'ALLADA, du 1er juin au 31 Août 2020. Résultats : Quatre-vingt-quatorze malades étaient éligibles pour notre étude. L'âge moyen des malades était de 58,41 ans, le sex-ratio 1,61. Les comorbidités les plus représentatives étaient l'hypertension artérielle (70,21%), le diabète (31,91%), l'obésité morbide (21,28%) et l'asthme (15,96%). Selon le score de gravité adopté au Bénin, trente-six malades (38,30%) étaient classés cas graves grade3 et ont bénéficié d'une ventilation mécanique. La VNI était la technique de ventilation la plus utilisée (75% des cas). Le plateau technique était limité et les ressources humaines qualifiées insuffisantes. Les associations chloroquine/azithromycine ou lopinavir/ritonavir/ribavirine étaient les traitements spécifiques utilisés. La mortalité était de 27,66%. Conclusion : Malgré les conditions de travail difficiles, notamment le plateau technique limité et les ressources humaines qualifiées insuffisantes, les résultats obtenus après traitement des cas graves de COVID19 à l'USI du CTE ALLADA étaient encourageants

Introduction: To respond to the pandemic linked to the SARS-COV-2 infection, Benin has opted for the construction of hospitals dedicated exclusively to the treatment of COVID-19. During the first wave of the pandemic in Africa, health systems were not yet well equipped to deal with this pandemic. We here report the Intensive CareUnit (ICU) experience of the Epidemic Treatment Center of ALLADA (ETCA). Purpose: To assess the management of serious cases of COVID-19 in the ICU of ETCA. Materials and method: This was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study, carried out in the ICU of ETCA, from June 1 to August 31, 2020. Results: Ninety-four patients were eligible for our study. The average age of the patients was 58.41 years with a sex ratio of 1.61. The most representative comorbidities were arterial hypertension (70.21%), diabetes (31.91%), morbid obesity (21.28%) and asthma (15.96%). According to the severity score adopted in Benin, thirty-six patients (38.30%) were classified as severe grade III cases and received mechanical ventilation. Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) was the most used ventilation technique (75% of cases). The technical platform was limited and the qualified human resources were insufficient. Chloroquine/azithromycin or lopinavir / ritonavir/ribavirine were the specific treatments used. Mortality was 27.66%. Conclusion: Despite the difficult working conditions, especially the limited technical platform and insufficient qualified human resources, the results obtained after treatment of serious cases of COVID-19 at the ICU of ETCA were encouraging

La pandemia COVID-19 en África: relato de médicos anestesiólogos africanos / COVID-19 pandemia in Africa: a narrative review

The medical experience collected mainly from South-Saharan African countries in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic is presented, where most of the contents described come from scientific publications that appeared during the course of the epidemic (some before peer review ), including articles from independent media, along with frequent exchanges of information between the authors, as well as personal testimonies that they themselves have received. No reference will be made to the possible socio-economic consequences of this crisis, although it may be assumed that these will be important, although different from those consequences that will affect technically advanced countries. The stated conclusions belong exclusively to the authors and do not commit, in any way, the institutions in which they form part.

Se presenta la experiencia médica recopilada principalmente de países del África Sud-Saharina en relación a la pandemia del COVID-19, donde la mayoría de los contenidos descritos provienen de publicaciones científicas aparecidas durante el transcurso de la epidemia (algunos antes de la revisión por pares), incluyendo artículos de medios de comunicación independientes, junto a frecuentes intercambios de información entre los autores, así como, testimonios personales que ellos mismos han recibido. No se hará referencia a las consecuencias socio-económicas posibles de esta crisis, aunque se podrá suponer que estas serán importantes, aunque diferentes a aquellas consecuencias que afectarán a los países técnicamente avanzados. Las conclusiones expuestas pertenecen exclusivamente a los autores y no comprometen, de ninguna forma, a las instituciones en las cuales ellos forman parte.

The African Surgical OutcomeS-2 (ASOS-2) Pilot Trial, a mixed-methods implementation study

Background: The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) showed that surgical patients in Africa have a mortality twice the global average. The working hypothesis is that patients die as a result of failure to rescue following complications in the postoperative period. The African Surgical OutcomeS-2 (ASOS-2) Trial plans to test the efficacy of increased postoperative surveillance in high risk patients for decreasing perioperative morbidity and mortality. This pilot trial aimed i) to evaluate the adequacy of data produced by the data collection strategies of the ASOS-2 Trial, ii) to evaluate the fidelity of implementation of the increased postoperative surveillance intervention, and iii) to understand the acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of the intervention and the trial processes. Methods: The ASOS-2 Pilot Trial was a mixed-methods (quantitative-qualitative) implementation study focusing on the intervention arm of the proposed ASOS-2 Trial. The intervention is increased postoperative surveillance for high-risk surgical patients. The intervention protocol was implemented at all sites for a seven-day period. A post pilot trial survey was used to collect data on the implementation outcomes. Results: 803 patients were recruited from 16 hospitals in eight African countries. The sampling and data collection strategies provided 98% complete data collection. Seventy-three percent of respondents believed that they truly provided increased postoperative surveillance to high risk patients. In reality 83/125 (66%) of high-risk patients received some form of increased postoperative surveillance. However, the individual components of the increased postoperative surveillance intervention were implemented in less than 50% of high-risk patients (excepting increasing nursing observations). The components most frequently unavailable were the ability to provide care in a higher care ward (32.1%) and assigning the patient to a bed in view of the nurses' station (28.4%). Failure to comply with available components of the intervention ranged from 27.5% to 54.3%. The post pilot survey had a response rate of 30/40 (75%). In Likert scale questions about acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the ASOS-2 intervention, 63% to 87% of respondents indicated agreement. Respondents reported barriers related to resources, trial processes, teamwork and communication as reasons for disagreement. Conclusions: The proposed ASOS-2 Trial appears to be appropriate, acceptable and feasible in Africa. This pilot trial provides support for the proposed ASOS-2 Trial. It emphasises the need for establishing trial site teams which address the needs of all stakeholders during the trial. A concerted effort must be made to help participating hospitals to increase compliance with all the components of the proposed intervention of 'increased postoperative surveillance' during the ASOS-2 Trial

Chirurgie foraine pédiatrique: organisation et prise en charge anesthésique

Introduction : La chirurgie foraine est une chirurgie de proximité aux populations présentant des difficultés d'accès aux soins. L'objectif des auteurs était d'évaluer l'approche d'interventions chirurgicales et le mode d'anesthésie proposée par les organisateurs pour apporter des soins de qualité et à moindre coût à des populations démunies. Patients et Méthodes : Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale et descriptive menée au cours d'une mission foraine réalisée au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Départemental ­ Ouémé / Plateau du 30 Septembre au 06 Octobre 2018. Elle concernait les enfants de 0 à 15 ans, opérés durant la mission. L'équipe d'intervention était dirigée par 3 chirurgiens pédiatres et 2 Médecins anesthésistes. Etaient étudiées, les données épidémiologiques, les indications chirurgicales, la classification ASA, les techniques anesthésiques et les suites opératoires. Résultats : Parmi les 483 enfants ayant consulté, l'indication d'une intervention chirurgicale a été poséchez 348 (72,04%) enfants parmi lesquels 136 (39,08%) ont été opérés. Ces derniers avaient une moyenne d'âge de 6,10 ± 4,23 ans avec des extrêmes de 2 jours de vie à 15 ans. Il y avait une prédominance masculine (85,29%), avec une sex-ratio de 5,8. Les hernies de la paroi abdominale étaient prédominantes (60,93%). La rachianesthésie (47,06%) était la plus pratiquée. La majorité des enfants opérés était classée ASA1 et ASA2. La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation était 1,16 ± 0,47 jouret la mortalité péri-opératoire était nulle, avec une morbidité négligeable. Conclusion : Certains actes chirurgicaux chez l'enfant peuvent être exécutés dans le cadre d'une mission foraine. Mais leurréalisation nécessite une structure et une organisation permettant d'assurer la sécurité pour la prise en charge de ces malades

Anesthesiologists' demography in French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa: the impact of fifteen years of Belgo-Beninese cooperation.

Belgium has been collaborating with the French-speaking University of Abomey-Calavi in Cotonou (Republic of Benin) for 15 years to train anesthesiologists for Sub-Saharan French-speaking African countries. At the end of the nineties, Sub-Saharan Africa was the only part of the world with a decreasing number of anesthesiologists. Thanks to various financial supports coming mainly from Belgian governmental cooperation funds, the program has been successful in reversing the demographic trend and even started a multiplying effect through the creation of schools for nurse-anesthetists, and through the creation of new training centers for physician anesthesiologists. Sixty-nine anesthesiologists from 13 countries graduated from Cotonou, 59 (85.5%) of whom actually choose to work in Africa. At least 40 of them teach anesthesia, playing a key role in the creation of new schools and training centers.

Iatrogenic retractile quadriceps fibrosis within children in Benin: epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical aspects.

BACKGROUND: In tropical countries, iatrogenic retractile quadriceps fibrosis (IRQF), the cause of walking handicap in children, is often the result of intraquadricipital injection of quinine salts. The aim of this review was to analyse the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic aspects and outcome of IRQF in children admitted in three hospitals in Benin Republic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a 10-year retrospective, descriptive and analytic survey of IRQF, involving 81 children aged from 8 months to 15 years. Iterative mobilization of the knee (IMK) or modified distal quadriceps plasty by Thompson-Payr's technique (MDQTPT), with a POP on the knee in flexion position, was performed with additional functional rehabilitation. The results were evaluated on knee flexion gain and walking quality. Data were processed using Epi Info 3.2 software. RESULTS: Patients' average age was 7.60 years. Children of 6-10 years were most affected; sex ratio was 1.02. Lesions were unilateral (71.6%) and bilateral (28.4%). The knees' stiffness was in flexion (10.57%), rectitude (64.42%) and recurvatum (25%). The amyotrophy of the thigh was found in 79.42 %. The IMK was successful in eight cases (7.69 %) and the MDQTPT was done in 98 cases (94.23%) associated with femoral osteotomy in 13 cases (12.50%). In post-surgical period, skin necrosis and fractures occurred respectively in 15.31% and 5.10%. Results were good in 92.31% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: IRQF in children do exist in our settings. The treatment that is based on MDQTPT associated to rehabilitation leads to acceptable outcome.

[Early resumption of food intake after cesarean section in black African women: liquid versus solid food]. / Reprise précoce de l'alimentation après césarienne chez la femme noire africaine : alimentation liquide versus alimentation solide.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of early resumption of solid versus liquid food intake after emergency cesarean section in black African women, in terms of gastrointestinal complications and maternal satisfaction. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A total of 120 patients were randomly distributed into two groups of 60 each. In group L, liquid food intake in the form of sweetened citronella drink was allowed at will starting 6 six hours after the procedure but no solid food was allowed for 24 hours. In group S, normal solid food intake was resumed six hours after the procedure. The two study groups were not significantly different with regard to age, medical history, ASA class, obstetrical status, indications for cesarean section, anesthetic protocol, mean procedural duration, and postoperative analgesia. Study variables included tolerance of food intake, gastro-intestinal complications, time necessary to resume full activity and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Overall, 6% of patients reported complications involving nausea, vomiting and bloating. There was no statistical difference between the two groups. Normal intestinal transit resumed earlier in group S but the difference was not significant. Auscultation of the abdomen at 16 hours after the procedure demonstrated presence of peristalsis in 59 patients in group S and 51 in group L (p = 0.008). The maternal satisfaction rate was 92% in group S and 43% in group L (p <0.01). All dissatisfied patients said that they would opt for solid food in case of future cesarean. CONCLUSION: Early solid food intake after cesarean in black African women is as well tolerated as early liquid feeding. Resumption of solid food intake allows earlier rehabilitation and improves patient satisfaction.

Anesthesia in French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa: an overview.

The situation of Anesthesiology in Sub-Saharan Africa is unique in that nowhere else in the world has the absolute numbers of anesthesiologists decreased during the nineties. Most anesthesia services to the populations of these 17 poor countries are provided by nurse-anesthetists, either certified or trained on the job. Their mean age often exceeds 40, which leads to expect an acute shortage within fifteen years. Experienced anesthesiologists are now so few that, in most countries, the critical mass of knowledgeable specialists no longer exists to train new anesthesia professionals. This summary of local surveys provides a brief overview of current workforce, institutions, drugs and material constituting the daily environment of our colleagues. Challenges are outlined, with special emphasis on brain drain. Solutions are proposed, underlining the promising role of a few anesthesia schools, the need for young anesthesiologists to enter teaching, and the expectations they are supposed to meet.