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O. Brehant, D. Fuks, C. Sabbagh, A. Wouters, C. Mention, F. Dumont, JM. Regimbeau When surgery is indicated for bleeding duodenal ulcer, the traditional standard of care has been "radical surgical treatment is preferable to conservative therapy since the risk of rebleeding is reduced without an augmentation in morbidity and mortality". This principle is based on two prospective studies published before 1995. Radical surgery at that time consisted of antrectomy, while conservative therapy included oversewing of the bleeding vessel in the ulcer bed and ligation of the gastroduodenal artery (Weinberg procedure). This strategy must be re-evaluated in 2008 in view of our better understanding of the role of Helicopacter pylori in the causation of duodenal ulceration and the decreased risk of post-operative re-bleeding with the use of proton pump inhibitors. The role of surgery has changed. Its aim is no longer to cure the ulcer diathesis but rather to urgently control bleeding in anticipation of ulcer cure with medical therapy., (Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

When surgery is indicated for bleeding duodenal ulcer, the traditional standard of care has been "radical surgical treatment is preferable to conservative therapy since the risk of rebleeding is reduced without an augmentation in morbidity and mortality". This principle is based on two prospective studies published before 1995. Radical surgery at that time consisted of antrectomy, while conservative therapy included oversewing of the bleeding vessel in the ulcer bed and ligation of the gastroduodenal artery (Weinberg procedure). This strategy must be re-evaluated in 2008 in view of our better understanding of the role of Helicopacter pylori in the causation of duodenal ulceration and the decreased risk of post-operative re-bleeding with the use of proton pump inhibitors. The role of surgery has changed. Its aim is no longer to cure the ulcer diathesis but rather to urgently control bleeding in anticipation of ulcer cure with medical therapy.

Surgical indications for chronic pancreatitis can be schematically separated into five main groups: pain, effects of fibrosis on adjacent organs, the consequences of main pancreatic duct rupture above an obstruction, and suspected cancer. Finally surgery is also indicated in patients who cannot undergo endoscopic procedures (no accessible papilla) or who have too recently undergone this procedure. Surgical procedures include derivation (pancreatic, cystic, biliary) or mixed procedures combining derivation/resection or pancreatic resection. Finally splanchnicectomy can be discussed. Whatever the indication, surgical treatment must meet several goals: the approach to surgery must be multidisciplinary, surgery must be associated with low morbidity and mortality, preserve as much endocrine function as possible, improve quality of life, and be evaluated in the long term, as well as prospectively if possible. We clarify some important points about the management of patients with chronic pancreatitis before discussing the various treatments in detail.

We report one case of adenomatous polyposis of the gallbladder in a 57 year-old woman with Gardner's syndrome presenting with cholangitis. On gross examination the gallbladder contained two calculi and numerous flat or polypoid adenomas less than 1 cm in size. On microscopic examination, the adenomas showed low and high grade intraepithelial neoplasia. Only 10 cases of gallbladder adenomas have been reported in the literature in patients presenting with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Cholecystectomy is usually performed for cholecystitis or cholangitis. These adenomatous gallbladder lesions are discovered late, often when the patient is older than 40. Pathogenesis of gallbladder adenomas is still unclear. It is difficult to assess the risk of malignancy: only 6 cases of gallbladder adenocarcinomas have been reported in patients with FAP.

Objectives: The French National Health Authority recommends systematic radiography before lumbar manipulation. However, current research shows radiography to have more disadvantages than advantages. For the cervical spine, in cases of complication following cervical manipulation, the lack of prior radiography is a fault, even if such x-ray results would have advised manipulation. To establish clear recommendations on this topic, we searched in the literature for complications of spinal manipulations that could have been prevented had preliminary radiography been performed to determine whether these complications were anticipated or not by the international guidelines., Material and Methods: Literature search., Results: For the lumbar and thoracic spine, the international guidelines are sufficient, except in cases of aneurysmal bone cyst, which can appear until the age of 25 years. For the cervical spine, despite a lack of data in the literature, prudence and medicolegal issues justify the performance of systematic radiography., Conclusion: The SOFMMOO recommends systematic radiography prior to cervical manipulation and in case of back or neck pain in patients of less than 25 years of age. In all other cases, the international guidelines provide sufficient recommendations.

Background: Cutaneous fistulas from the rectal stump after Hartmann procedure are not rare. Rarely do they require operative intervention, but they may result in prolonged skin care during hospitalization., Purpose: of study: To describe the use of fibrin glue in the treatment of rectocutaneous fistulas occurring after Hartmann procedure., Study Design: Ten patients underwent irrigation of the fistulous tract followed by fibrin glue injection. The glue was reconstituted using the usual two syringe admixture technique; the tract was catheterized as far as the rectal stump, and the glue was injected as the catheter was withdrawn to skin level., Results: No complications were noted and the discharge from seven out of ten fistulas dried up completely., Conclusion: Biologic glue occlusion of rectocutaneous fistulas simplified local care and decreased hospital stay.

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae primary peritonitis is rare. The diagnosis is uneasy and the treatment is not standardised., Case Report: We report a single case of S. pneumoniae primary peritonitis needing surgical treatment., Discussion: S. pneumoniae primary peritonitis can be medically treated. Surgery is needed in case of sepsis, associated digestive injuries or failure of medical treatment.

Introduction: Evaluation of outcome after colorectal surgery is always necessary. A new index which permits to appreciate preoperatively postoperative mortality after colorectal resection in colorectal cancer (CRC) and in diverticular disease has been published (i.e., Association Française de Chirurgie, AFC colorectal index)., Patients and Methods: From November 2002 to July 2004, in-hospital mortality was analysed on 253 patients who underwent colic resection (N = 220, 87%) or rectal resection, with anastomosis (N = 175, 70%). Mortality was analysed according to emergency resection, neurological co morbidity, lost of weight more than 10% of weight, age older than 70 years., Results: Mean age of patients was 63 +/- 18 years (17-92) (45% older than 70 years), 26% of patients were ASA >or= III, 35% underwent surgery in emergency, and 12% underwent laparoscopic surgery. One hundred and fifteen (45%) patients underwent surgery for CRC and 50 (20%), for diverticular disease and 11 patients underwent surgery for ischemic colitis. Overall mortality rate was 10% (N = 26), it was 19% in emergency surgery versus 5% after elective surgery. Global morbidity was 38%, percentage of anastomotic leak was 8% (N = 14/175), reoperation was necessary in 14%. The mean length of stay was 13 +/- 8 days. Ten percent of patients necessitated unplanned readmission. After surgery for CCR or diverticular disease. -i) overall mortality was 9% - ii) among patients who had 0, 1, 2, or 3 predictive risk factors of mortality; mortality was 0% , 5% 15% and 33%. After surgery for other aetiology than CCR or diverticular disease, among patients who had 0, 1, 2, or 3 predictive risk factors of mortality; mortality was 0%, 12% 36% and 25%., Conclusions: These results showed the reproducibility of the AFC colorectal index and its potential application in all aetiologies after colorectal surgery.

Control of the left hepatic vein or of the common trunk left hepatic vein-middle hepatic vein during a hepatic resection is presumed difficult. This control is facilitated by the knowledge of the Arantius' ligament anatomy. The combined manoeuvre which associates lowering the top of segment I and section-traction of the Arantius' ligament allows exposure of the inferior aspect of the left or middle hepatic veins and allows safe dissection of these veins.

Introduction: Hartmann's procedure (HP) is a simple operation, which can be performed by all the surgeons. However, it remains criticized (high morbimortality, low rate of intestinal continuity restoration). The aim of this study was to analyse natural history of HP and intestinal continuity restoration for sigmoid diverticulitis, and to assess risk factors for mortality, morbidity and absence of intestinal continuity restoration., Patients and Methods: In three centers, from 1992 to 2002, 85 patients underwent HP. A retrospective analysis was performed on mortality, early and late morbidity of HP and intestinal continuity restoration., Results: 22% of patients (mean age, 68 years) presented comorbidity, 17% of them, an altered immunity, and 3 or 4 Hinchey score for 64%. ASA score was > or =3 in 49% of the cases. Mean AFC and Mannheim scores were 2 and 21 respectively. Mortality rate was 14% and in-hospital morbidity, 50%. Main complications were: cardiorespiratory (18%), wound abcess (14%) and stomal (6%). No rectal stump fistula was noted. Mean hospital stay was 19+/-13 days. Late morbidity rate was 29%, mainly due to stomal complications (12%) and small bowel obstruction (7%). Intestinal continuity restoration was done in 77% of the cases, followed by only 1 fistula. Mortality rate for intestinal continuity restoration was 0% and morbidity was 13%. Mean hospital stay was 10+/-3 days. Age >75 years, ASA score > or =3 and comorbidity were risk factors for morbidity and mortality and for absence of intestinal continuity restoration., Conclusions: HP is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rates. Intestinal continuity restoration rate was high in this series. HP is a simple operation in high-risk patients with advanced peritonitis. This study allows to precise natural history of HP. Knowledge of this history is crucial for choosing the best operation (between HP and anastomosis) for patient with peritonitis complications sigmoid diverticuitis.

Pancreas divisum, the most frequent congenital malformation of the pancreas, results from the absence of embryologic fusion of the dorsal and ventral pancreatic ducts which keep an autonomy of drainage. The dorsal pancreatic duct is dominant and drains the major part of the pancreatic fluid through a non adapted accessory papilla. The high prevalence of pancreas divisum in patients presenting recurrent acute pancreatitis, the presence of obstructive pancreatitis electively located on the dorsal pancreatic duct and the results of the treatments targeted on the accessory papilla are the arguments pleading for the pathogenic character of the pancreas divisum. Currently, the diagnosis of pancreas divisum is based on magnetic resonance imaging. For symptomatic patients (after exclusion of patients with intestinal functional disorders), results of endoscopic sphincterotomy or surgical sphincteroplasty are favourable in 75% of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis. They are worse in patients with chronic pain. Surgical sphincteroplasty must be discussed in the same manner as the endoscopic treatment for sometimes avoiding multiplication of the procedures.

Introduction: Fifteen to thirty percent of colonic cancers are diagnosed at acute colic obstruction stage. In this situation surgery is associated with a high morbi-mortality. The self-expandable metallic stents (SEM) have two objectives: (a) resolution of the obstructive to allow secondary planified radical surgical procedure; (b) palliative in the event of advanced disease., Patients and Methods: From May 2001 to December 2002, 11 patients, mean age 75 +/- 8 years, presenting with acute colic obstruction were initially treated by SEM placed by endoscopy. Four patients were classified score ASA 4. Ten patients had a colonic cancer, and a patient presented a peritoneal carcinomatosis from an ovarian carcinoma. Overall five patients had a carcinomatosis. Stenosis, mean length 4 +/- 3 cm, were located on the left colon. In five patients the SEM was proposed as a palliative treatment., Results: Successfully placement of SEM was obtained in 10 (91%) patient without perforation. Three complications (bleeding, reobstruction, migration) were observed. Clinical success (colonic decompression within 96 h without endoscopic or surgical reintervention) was observed in nine out of ten (90%) patients. Six patients had a SEM with curative attempt allowing (i) colonic resection (9 +/- 2 days) without stomy (one postoperative death) in five patients; (ii) a colo-colic derivation for diffuse carcinomatosis discovered peroperatively. A diverting colostomy was carried out in two of the four patients (j6, j30) (reobstruction, migration) for whom the SEM had been proposed as palliative treatment., Conclusions: This study confirms that SEM and surgery are not competitive but complementary techniques. When the SEM is placed with curative attempt, it allows resolution of the obstructive syndrome and secondary planified radical surgical procedure under better conditions. The results observed in the palliative SEM group suggested to reconsider this indication.

The application of the 06-26-1990 law for the protection of mentally ill persons has confronted the psychiatrists working in general psychiatry wards with the problem of keeping up patients hospitalized against their own will and following a judiciary authority decision. Having to deal with this problem, the authors first reviewed the literature about the use of restraint techniques in psychiatry. They observed that these universally used techniques were strikingly denied in the psychiatric literature so that their accurate application was made difficult because of the lack of information about their indications, contra-indications and application modalities. Afterwards, the authors have compared the different restraint techniques in a retrospective study over a one year period among voluntarily hospitalized patients and patients admitted against their wil in application of the 06-26-1990 law. They reported that the application of the law undoubtedly increased the number of restraint but did not modify either the population characteristics of the treatment modalities. These results have to be further confirmed in a prospective study.