[The HELLP syndrome. 13 cases].

The Hellp syndrome is a complication of raised blood pressure in pregnancy, haemolysis, a rise in liver enzymes and thrombopenia. In this retrospective study we report 12 cases of Hellp syndrome which occurred in the University Hospital Centre of Poitiers between 1982 and 1990 and we discuss causes, the progress, the prognosis and the management. Six patients were helped by prophylactic Caesarean operation.

[Contribution of celioscopic surgery to vaginal surgery. 18 cases].

Vaginal hysterectomy is better for patients because they have to stay in hospital for a shorter period of time and they are less likely to have thromboembolic complications, than if the hysterectomy is carried out abdominally. If laparoscopic surgery is carried out before the hysterectomy when the indications for vaginal operation are poor, more patients can be operated on vaginally with higher security and the procedures were made easier. We report 18 cases of laparoscopic operation preceding vaginal hysterectomy and these were considered because of previous laparotomies, or previous inflammatory conditions of the tubes.

[Bilateral breast tuberculosis: a case report. Review of the literature].

We report a case of bilateral tuberculosis of the breast that presented as masses and where the diagnosis could only be made from the histology. The outcome was good following antibiotics and antituberculous treatment. Tuberculosis of the breast is a very rare infection.