Surgical decompression for the management of abdominal compartment syndrome with severe acute pancreatitis: A narrative review

Intra-abdominal hypertension(IAH)and abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS)play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)and contribute to new-onset and persistent organ failure.The optimal management of ACS involves a multi-disciplinary approach,from its early recognition to measures aiming at an urgent reduction of intra-abdominal pressure(IAP).A targeted literature search from January 1,2000,to November 30,2022,revealed 20 studies and data was analyzed on the type and country of the study,patient demographics,IAP,type and timing of surgical procedure performed,post-operative wound management,and outcomes of patients with ACS.There was no randomized controlled trial published on the topic.Decom-pressive laparotomy is effective in rapidly reducing IAP(standardized mean difference=2.68,95%confidence interval:1.19-1.47,P<0.001;4 studies).The morbidity and complications of an open abdomen after decompressive laparotomy should be weighed against the inadequately treated but,potentially lethal ACS.Disease-specific patient selection and the role of less-invasive decompressive measures,like subcutaneous linea alba fasciotomy or component separation techniques,is lacking in the 2013 consensus management guidelines by the Abdominal Compartment Society on IAH and ACS.This narrative review focuses on the current evidence regarding surgical decompression techniques for managing ACS in patients with SAP.However,there is a lack of high-quality evidence on patient selection,timing,and modality of surgical decompression.Large prospective trials are needed to identify triggers and effective and safe surgical decompression methods in SAP patients with ACS.

Surgical intervention combined with weight-bearing walking training promotes recovery in patients with chronic spinal cord injury:a randomized controlled study

For patients with chronic spinal cord injury,the co nventional treatment is rehabilitation and treatment of spinal cord injury complications such as urinary tract infection,pressure sores,osteoporosis,and deep vein thrombosis.Surgery is rarely perfo rmed on spinal co rd injury in the chronic phase,and few treatments have been proven effective in chronic spinal cord injury patients.Development of effective therapies fo r chronic spinal co rd injury patients is needed.We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial in patients with chronic complete thoracic spinal co rd injury to compare intensive rehabilitation(weight-bearing walking training)alone with surgical intervention plus intensive rehabilitation.This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov(NCT02663310).The goal of surgical intervention was spinal cord detethering,restoration of cerebrospinal fluid flow,and elimination of residual spinal cord compression.We found that surgical intervention plus weight-bearing walking training was associated with a higher incidence of American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale improvement,reduced spasticity,and more rapid bowel and bladder functional recovery than weight-bearing walking training alone.Overall,the surgical procedures and intensive rehabilitation were safe.American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale improvement was more common in T7-T11 injuries than in T2-T6 injuries.Surgery combined with rehabilitation appears to have a role in treatment of chronic spinal cord injury patients.

Assessment of the effectiveness of weight-adjusted antibiotic administration,for reduced duration,in surgical prophylaxis of primary hip and knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Prophylactic antibiotics have significantly led to a reduction in the risk of postoperative surgical site infections(SSI)in orthopaedic surgery.The aim of using antibiotics for this purpose is to achieve serum and tissue drug levels that exceed,for the duration of the operation,the minimum inhibitory concentration of the likely organisms that are encountered.Prophylactic antibiotics reduce the rate of SSIs in lower limb arthroplasty from between 4%and 8%to between 1%and 3%.Controversy,however,still surrounds the optimal frequency and dosing of antibiotic administration.AIM To evaluate the impact of introduction of a weight-adjusted antibiotic prophylaxis regime,combined with a reduction in the duration of administration of post-operative antibiotics on SSI incidence during the 2 years following primary elective total hip and knee arthroplasty METHODS Following ethical approval,patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty(THA)/total knee arthroplasty(TKA)with the old regime(OR)of a preoperative dose[cefazolin 2 g intravenously(IV)],and two subsequent doses(2 h and 8 h),were compared to those after a change to a new regime(NR)of a weight-adjusted preoperative dose(cefazolin 2 g IV for patients<120 kg;cefazolin 3g IV for patients>120 kg)and a post-operative dose at 2 h.The primary outcome in both groups was SSI rates during the 2 years post-operatively.RESULTS A total of n=1273 operations(THA n=534,TKA n=739)were performed in n=1264 patients.There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of deep(OR 0.74%(5/675)vs NR 0.50%(3/598);fishers exact test P=0.72),nor superficial SSIs(OR 2.07%(14/675)vs NR 1.50%(9/598);chi-squared test P=0.44)at 2 years postoperatively.With propensity score weighting and an interrupted time series analysis,there was also no difference in SSI rates between both groups[RR 0.88(95%CI 0.61 to 1.30)P=0.46].CONCLUSION A weight-adjusted regime,with a reduction in number of post-operative doses had no adverse impact on SSI incidence in this population.

Ocular decompression retinopathy after phacoemulsification in a patient with primary acute angleclosure glaucoma undergoing chemotherapy

Dear Editor,Ocular decompression retinopathy(ODR),which manifests as diffuse retinal hemorrhage occurring abruptly in multiple locations,including the subretinal,intraretinal,and preretinal spaces,is a rare complication after glaucoma surgery and is caused by sudden,iatrogenic lowering of intraocular pressure(IOP).Implicated procedures include glaucoma drainage implantation,trabeculectomy,iridotomy,and even cataract surgery[1].One report described a case of ocular decompression management following uncomplicated cataract surgery with no posterior capsular rupture or other intraoperative complications[2].Here,we report a rare case of ODR triggered by phacoemulsification and the use of systemic chemotherapeutic drugs in a patient with primary acute angleclosure glaucoma(PACG).The case not only improves our understanding of potential side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on ophthalmic surgery but may also serve as a reference for clinicians in the management of patients with glaucoma with similar medical histories.

Postoperative pneumocranium after endoscopic transnasal optic canal decompression

Dear Editor,We present the first time,a case of a patient developed cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)leak and pneumocranium following optic canal decompression(OCD).INTRODUCTION Indirect traumatic optic neuropathy(ITON)impairs visual functions and quality of life.Endoscopic transnasal optic canal decompression(ETOCD)is one of the standard treatment strategies for the ITON.During the ETOCD,the optic nerve sheath are usually incised for sufficient decompression of optic nerve after removal of optic canal,which is associated with complications like CSF leakage,ophthalmic artery injury,and optic nerve injury[1].Generally,the mild CSF leak is common and can heal spontaneously using conventional treatment,the severe CSF leak requires surgical repair[2].

Response to Comment“Standardizing R-E-NSM Surgical Protocols:A Critical Appraisal for Breast Cancer Patients”

To the editors:We appreciate the detailed and constructive comments provided by the commenters.We adopted some suggestions and responded to all comments.The responses are as follows.1.Table 1 presents lymph node status following PSM but does not detail the total lymph nodes resected.

Standardizing R-E-NSM Surgical Protocols: A Critical Appraisal for Breast Cancer Patients

To the editors:We read with interest the article by Jiao ZHOU et al,which introduces a novel technique of reverse-sequence endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy(R-E-NSM)with direct-to-implant breast reconstruction(DIBR)for breast cancer patientsll.While the study presents a promising approach,the interpretation of its findings warrants careful consideration owing to several methodological and clinical aspects:(1)Table 1 presents the lymph node status following propensity score matching but does not detail the total number of lymph nodes resected.

Surgical techniques to prevent delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background: Delayed gastric emptying(DGE) is one of the most common complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD). DGE represents impaired gastric motility without significant mechanical obstruction and is associated with an increased length of hospital stay, increased healthcare costs, and a high readmission rate. We reviewed published studies on various technical modifications to reduce the incidence of DGE. Data sources: Studies were identified by searching Pub Med for relevant articles published up to December 2022. The following search terms were used: “pancreaticoduodenectomy”, “pancreaticojejunostomy”, “pancreaticogastrostomy”, “gastric emptying”, “gastroparesis” and “postoperative complications”. The search was limited to English publications. Additional articles were identified by a manual search of references from key articles. Results: In recent years, various surgical procedures and techniques have been explored to reduce the incidence of DGE. Pyloric resection, Billroth II reconstruction, Braun's enteroenterostomy, and antecolic reconstruction may be associated with a decreased incidence of DGE, but more high-powered studies are needed in the future. Neither laparoscopic nor robotic surgery has demonstrated superiority in preventing DGE, and the use of staplers is controversial regarding whether they can reduce the incidence of DGE. Conclusions: Despite many innovations in surgical techniques, there is no surgical procedure that is superior to others to reduce DGE. Further larger prospective randomized studies are needed.

Defining minimal invasive surgical therapy for benign prostatic obstruction surgery: Perspectives from a global knowledge, attitude, and practice survey

Objective:To scrutinize the definitions of minimal invasive surgical therapy(MIST)and to investigate urologists’knowledge,attitudes,and practices for benign prostatic obstruction surgeries.Methods:A 36-item survey was developed with a Delphi method.Questions on definitions of MIST and attitudes and practices of benign prostatic obstruction surgeries were included.Urologists were invited globally to complete the online survey.Consensus was achieved when more than or equal to 70%responses were“agree or strongly agree”and less than or equal to 15%responses were“disagree or strongly disagree”(consensus agree),or when more than or equal to 70%responses were“disagree or strongly disagree”and less than or equal to 15%responses were“agree or strongly agree”(consensus disagree).Results:The top three qualities for defining MIST were minimal blood loss(n=466,80.3%),fast post-operative recovery(n=431,74.3%),and short hospital stay(n=425,73.3%).The top three surgeries that were regarded as MIST were Urolift®(n=361,62.2%),Rezum®(n=351,60.5%),and endoscopic enucleation of the prostate(EEP)(n=332,57.2%).Consensus in the knowledge section was achieved for the superiority of Urolift®,Rezum®,and iTIND®over transurethral resection of the prostate with regard to blood loss,recovery,day surgery feasibility,and post-operative continence.Consensus in the attitudes section was achieved for the superiority of Urolift®,Rezum®,and iTIND®over transurethral resection of the prostate with regard to blood loss,recovery,and day surgery feasibility.Consensus on both sections was achieved for EEP as the option with the better symptoms and flow improvement,lower retreatment rate,and better suitable for prostate more than 80 mL.Conclusion:Minimal blood loss,fast post-operative recovery,and short hospital stay were the most important qualities for defining MIST.Urolift®,Rezum®,and EEP were regarded as MIST by most urologists.

Results of Open Surgical Treatment of Humeral Paddle Fractures about 63 Cases

Fractures of the humeral paddle, common to young adults, are most often complex, linked to violence and an increase in road accidents. The objective of our work is to evaluate our functional results, in the medium term, correlated with a review of the literature. This is a retrospective study of 63 patients, carried out in the traumatology-orthopedics department 1 of the IBN EL JAZZAR hospital in KAIROUAN, over a period of 7 years from January 2015 to December 2021. The average age of patients was 39 years (17 - 68 years). Predominantly male. The etiologies are dominated by falls and accidents on public roads. Fractures are classified according to the Müller and Allgöwer classification where type C is found in 51% of cases. All our patients undergo an olecranon osteotomy in 71% of cases. Osteosynthesis using a Lecestre plate combined with screwing or plugging is used in 84% of cases. The evolution is marked by complications observed in eight patients (16%), including two cases of sepsis, four cases of elbow stiffness (8%), one case of joint callus and one case of pseudarthrosis. Our results are evaluated according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, they are excellent and good in 71% of cases, average in 18% of cases and poor in 11% of cases. Fractures of the humeral paddle are fractures with a satisfactory functional prognosis, requiring ad integrum anatomical restoration and solid osteosynthesis allowing early rehabilitation of the elbow. One case of joint callus and one case of pseudarthrosis.

Surgical cystogastrostomy: Is it still worthwhile?

The article by Ker et al explores the treatment of peripancreatic fluid collection(PFC).The use of percutaneous drainage,endoscopy,and surgery for managing PFC are discussed.Percutaneous drainage is noted for its low risk profile,while endoscopic cystogastrostomy is more effective due to the wider orifice of the metallic stent.Surgical cystogastrostomy is a definitive treatment with a reduced need for reintervention,especially for cases with extensive collections and significant necrosis.The choice of treatment modality should be tailored to individual patient characteristics and disease factors,considering the expertise available.

Incidences and Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections in Koutiala, Mali

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the incidences and risk factors for surgical site (ISO) infections in the general surgery department of the Koutiala District Hospital. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective and descriptive study from August 1, 2017 to October 31, 2020 involving all patients who underwent laparotomy in the general surgery department of the Koutiala District Hospital. Patients who were not operated on and who did not have a laparotomy were not included. Age, sex, frequency, patient history, National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) index, time to occur, bacteriological test results and course of infection were analyzed. Results: Fifty patients were registered. The average age was 34.2 ± 21.2 years old. Eleven patients were 60 years old or older. The hospital incidence rate was 4.3% and the community incidence rate was 6.1 cases per 100,000 population. The concept of smoking was noted in 15 patients. Patients were operated on in emergency 84% of cases. Peritonitis was the most common initial lesion with 32% of cases. Our patients had an NNIS index greater than 0 in 84% of cases. The time to develop infection from the surgical site was less than 3 days in 8 patients (16% of cases). Depending on the depth of the infection, it was superficial (cutaneous) in 39 patients (78%) and deep (subcutaneous and organic) in 11 patients (22%). Escherichia coli was the most common germ with 72% followed by staphylococcus aureus at 24%. We noted 22% morbidity. The median length of hospitalization was 9 ± 2.2 days. Conclusion: ISO is common in our service. Prevention and mastery require knowledge of risk factors.

Surgical Site Infections in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Bouaké Teaching Hospital (Côte d’Ivoire)

Background: Surgical site infections are serious healthcare problems. The aim was to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of surgical site infections in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Bouaké Teaching Hospital. Method: This retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted from January 2019 to December 31, 2021. The data studied included prevalence, initial lesions, type of surgical intervention, type of SSI, bacteria involved, treatment, and outcomes. Results: Forty-four (11%) of the 399 patients included in the study developed a surgical site infection. The mean age was 27 years, with 36 male and 8 female. Initial lesions were predominantly open fractures (n = 31;70%), with a mean delay of 48 hours for surgical management. Emergency interventions accounted for 70% (n = 31) of cases. The NNISS infection risk score was 1 in 80% (n = 35) of cases. Superficial infections (n = 34;77%) appeared early, on a mean 6 days postoperatively. Bacteriological analysis primarily identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 10;23%), sensitive to Imipenem and Chloramphenicol but resistant to Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin, and Ciprofloxacin. Multidrug-resistant bacteria were found in 89% (n = 8) of cases, with all bacteria resistant to Ceftriaxone. Surgical revision was performed in 10 patients (23%), primarily involving debridement with hardware retention (n = 7;70%). Chloramphenicol was the most commonly used antibiotic post-antibiogram (61%). Outcomes were favourable in 98% of cases. Identified risk factors included the type of lesion according to NRC classification, the delay in managing open fractures, and the NNISS score. Conclusion: The prevalence of surgical site infection was 11%, favoured by the delayed operation of open fractures.

Surgical site infection following pancreaticoduodenectomy in a referral cancer center in Mexico

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the standard treatment for resectable periampullary cancer. Surgical site infections(SSI) are common complications with increased morbidity. The study aimed to describe the prevalence, risk factors, microbiology, and outcomes of SSI among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in a referral cancer center between January 2015 and June 2021. We analyzed baseline patient characteristics and SSI occurrence. Culture results and susceptibility patterns were described. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine risk factors, proportional hazards model to evaluate mortality, and Kaplan-Meier analysis to assess long-term survival. Results: A total of 219 patients were enrolled in the study;101(46%) developed SSI. Independent factors for SSI were diabetes mellitus, preoperative albumin level, biliary drainage, biliary prostheses, and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. The main pathogens were Enterobacteria and Enterococci. Multidrug-resistance rate in SSI was high but not associated with increased mortality. Infected patients had higher odds of sepsis, longer hospital stay and intensive care unit stay, and readmission rate. Neither 30-day mortality nor long-term survival was significantly different between infected and non-infected patients. Conclusions: SSI prevalence among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy was high and largely caused by resistant microorganisms. Most risk factors were related to preoperative instrumentation of the biliary tree. SSI was associated with greater risk of unfavorable outcomes;however, survival was unaffected.

Comparison of Surgical Techniques Used in Treating Acromioclavicular Dislocation in Patients Participating in Sports: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The acromioclavicular joint is a superficial diarthrodial joint that surrounds the medial articular facet of the acromion and the distal portion of the clavicle. Due to its anatomy and biomechanics, it is highly susceptible to trauma and in young men who play contact sports, acromioclavicular dislocation is common. This article aimed to systematically review the literature and compare the surgical techniques used in the treatment of acromioclavicular dislocation in patients who practice sports. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the International Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eligible studies for this systematic review included articles in English or Spanish published between 2013 and 2023, which mention the occurrence of acromioclavicular dislocation during sports practices. Additionally, only studies that addressed the surgical treatment of acromion-clavicular dislocation and contained original data on the topic were included. Results: We found 144 eligible studies after searching the LILACS and PubMed databases. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the reviewers’ consensus, we selected four studies for the systematic review. 133 patients with AC joint displacement were evaluated. Mean Age: approximately 31.90 years. 81.92 of these injuries occurred during sports practice. Surgical Procedures Used: titanium plates fixation (49 patients), arthroscopy (24), single tunnel technique (30) and coracoid sling technique (30). The results of the visual analog scale and Constant-Murley scores varied between the techniques used. Twenty-two complications after surgical treatment were identified. Conclusion: A significant variability of operative techniques can be used in the surgical approach of acromioclavicular dislocation, such as arthroscopy, single tunnel, coracoid sling and titanium plates. Although it presented excellent functional results compared to the other three techniques evaluated by this review, using titanium plates is not the gold standard since other techniques not assessed by this work may be more effective.

Endoscopic treatment of biliopancreatic pathology in patients with Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy surgical variants: Lessons learned from single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP

Background: Endoscopic treatment of biliopancreatic pathology is challenging due to surgically altered anatomy after Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(SBE-ERCP) to treat biliopancreatic pathology in patients with Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy surgical variants. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 106 SBE-ERCP procedures in 46 patients with Whipple's variants. Technical and clinical success rates and adverse events were evaluated. Results: Biliary SBE-ERCP was performed in 34 patients and pancreatic SBE-ERCP in 17, including 5 with both indications. From a total of 106 SBE-ERCP procedures, 76 were biliary indication with technical success rate of 68/76(90%) procedures and clinical success rate of 30/34(88%) patients. Mild adverse event rate was 8/76(11%), without serious adverse events. From a total of 106 SBE-ERCP procedures, 30 were pancreatic indication with technical success rate of 24/30(80%) procedures( P = 0.194 vs. biliary SBEERCP) and clinical success rate of 11/17(65%) patients( P = 0.016 vs. biliary SBE-ERCP). Mild adverse event rate was 6/30(20%)( P = 0.194 vs. biliary SBE-ERCP), without serious adverse events. After SBE-ERCP failure, endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage, percutaneous drainage and redo surgery were alternative therapeutic options. Conclusions: Biliopancreatic pathology after Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy variants can be treated using SBE-ERCP without serious adverse events. Technical and clinical success rates are high for biliary indications, whereas clinical success rate of pancreatic indications is significantly lower. SBE-ERCP can be considered as first-line treatment option in this patient group with surgically altered anatomy.

Navigating medial patellotibial ligament reconstruction:Clinical perspectives and surgical strategies

The surgical approach for patellar instability usually refers to reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament associated with an osteotomy of the tibial tuberosity or a trochleoplasty when required.The medial patellotibial ligament and the medial patellomeniscal ligament are secondary stabilizers of the patella.Despite this,both the medial patellotibial and patellofemoral ligaments aid in patellar rotation and tilt when the knee is flexed beyond 45°.The medial patellotibial ligament plays a particularly important role in the final stages of stretching in extension and between 40 degrees to 90 degrees of flexion.The clinical relevance and surgical indications for medial patellotibial ligament reconstruction associated with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction are still controversial.This editorial explores the surgical indications and clinical results for medial patellotibial ligament reconstruction to improve readers’understanding of this technique,especially because reported clinical outcomes have remained sparse.

Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress scoring system for predicting complications following abdominal surgery: A metaanalysis spanning 2004 to 2022

BACKGROUND Postoperative complications remain a paramount concern for surgeons and healthcare practitioners.AIM To present a comprehensive analysis of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress(E-PASS)scoring system’s efficacy in predicting postoperative complications following abdominal surgery.METHODS A systematic search of published studies was conducted,yielding 17 studies with pertinent data.Parameters such as preoperative risk score(PRS),surgical stress score(SSS),comprehensive risk score(CRS),postoperative complications,post-operative mortality,and other clinical data were collected for meta-analysis.Forest plots were employed for continuous and binary variables,withχ2 tests assessing heterogeneity(P value).RESULTS Patients experiencing complications after abdominal surgery exhibited significantly higher E-PASS scores compared to those without complications[mean difference and 95%confidence interval(CI)of PRS:0.10(0.05-0.15);SSS:0.04(0.001-0.08);CRS:0.19(0.07-0.31)].Following the exclusion of low-quality studies,results remained valid with no discernible heterogeneity.Subgroup analysis indicated that variations in sample size and age may contribute to hetero-geneity in CRS analysis.Binary variable meta-analysis demonstrated a correlation between high CRS and increased postoperative complication rates[odds ratio(OR)(95%CI):3.01(1.83-4.95)],with a significant association observed between high CRS and postoperative mortality[OR(95%CI):15.49(3.75-64.01)].CONCLUSION In summary,postoperative complications in abdominal surgery,as assessed by the E-PASS scoring system,are consistently linked to elevated PRS,SSS,and CRS scores.High CRS scores emerge as risk factors for heightened morbidity and mortality.This study establishes the accuracy of the E-PASS scoring system in predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality in abdominal surgery,underscoring its potential for widespread adoption in effective risk assessment.

Usefulness of the Surgical Apgar Score to Predict the Occurrence of Major Complications in the Early Post-Operative Period of Major Surgeries: Experience of Two Second-Category Hospitals in Cameroon

Objective: The Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) is a tool for intraoperative stratification of the risk of serious complications in the early postoperative period. It varies from 0 to 10 points divided into three risk categories (0 to 4 high, 5 to 7 moderate, 8 to 10 low). The aim of the study was to evaluate its relevance in predicting the appearance of these complications. Material and methods: This descriptive and analytical study was carried out at the “Laquintinie” Hospital in Douala and at the Central Hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. The main data were collected on a population of patients over 18 years old and recorded on a survey form. They consisted of variables of main interest and exposure variables. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using top-down logistic regression models made it possible to evaluate the association of each variable of main interest and each exposure variable. The association was significant at P Results: Of the 88 patients studied, the SAS was 3 hours. In multivariate, this link persisted only and strongly for the SAS OR (IC) 0.1 (0.1 - 0.2) and p = 000. Conclusion: The study found a specific and powerful link between the SAS score < 4 and the occurrence of complications in the early postoperative period, in favor of its relevance in predicting them.

Review of Two Years of Surgical Activities of the General Surgery Department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako Mali

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the surgical activities carried out in the general surgery department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako, to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the operated patients, to determine the main pathologies encountered and to evaluate qualitatively the result of the treatment. In order to improve performance, and the quality of care, and to identify common pathologies in the surgical department, we undertook a retrospective study on surgical activities from January 2009 to December 2010. At the end of this study, out of 474 men and 187 women (equal sex ratio 2.53);we were able to determine the frequency of surgical pathologies. Farmers, housewives and pupils/students were the most represented with 25.9% respectively;20% and 13.3%. The most frequently observed pathologies were wall hernia (44.8%), prostate adenoma (12%) and acute appendicitis (10.5%). The average length of hospitalization was 3.43 days. Infectious complications affected 25 patients (3.8% of cases) and a death rate of 0.45% (i.e. 3 patients). The average cost of care was 53,500 FCFA. Indeed, the reality of surgical practice in health centers was not the same because of the level of skills of practicing surgeons.