Artur Terlecki

Comparison of effectiveness of electrocautery and phenol application in partial matricectomy after partial nail extraction in the treatment of ingrown nails

UNLABELLED Ingrowing nail also known as onychocryptosis is a common health problem. This disease mostly affects young people, often carrying a considerable amount of socio-economic implications. Its foot problem that usually manifests as inflammation of tissue along the side of a toenail. The aim of the study was to asses and to compare effectiveness of electrocautery and phenol application in partial matrixectomy after partial nail extraction in the treatment of ingrown toenails. MATERIAL AND METHODS The group of 60 patients with ingrowing toenail which was randomized into two groups underwent partial matrixectomy in surgical outpatient clinic between 2009-2013. This group of patients was under surgical observation for 100 days in outpatient clinic. RESULTS In all operated patients we obtained surgical success however we had 13 recurrences during the follow up period, 5 in the phenolization group and 8 in the electrocoagulation group. CONCLUSIONS There was statistically significant difference between these two techniques, which indicated that matrix phenolization is connected with shortened healing time vs the matrix electrocoagulation.

Acute mediastinitis: evaluation of clinical risk factors for death in surgically treated patients

Acute mediastinitis (AM) is the most lethal form of infection within the thorax. The authors of this study, using statistical tools, made an attempt to determine the most important clinical risk factors in retrospective material of patients treated surgically due to AM.

Outcome of pleurodesis using different agents in management prolonged air leakage following lung resection.

Prolonged air leaks (PAL) are a common problem after pulmonary resection. PAL can be a source of significant complications. One of the treatment options is chemical pleurodesis.

Oesophageal perforation - therapeutic and diagnostics challenge. Retrospective, single-center case report analysis (2009-2015).

BACKGROUND Esophageal perforation is a life-threatening condition of a complex etiology. No clear guidelines are available regarding the management of this condition. In this study, we review publications related to esophageal perforation, and analyze patients treated for this condition at our Department of Thoracic, General and Oncological Surgery. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to retrospectively assess and analyze management methods for esophageal perforations of different etiologies. All patients were treated in the Department of Thoracic, General and Oncological Surgery in years 2009-2015. Patients with perforations resulting from post-operational leaks within surgical anastomoses were excluded from the study. Material, methods, results: The analysis involved a total of 16 cases of esophageal ruptures. All cases were treated in years 2009-2015. Patients with perforations resulting from postoperative leaks within surgical anastomoses following elective surgeries for either oncological or non-oncological causes were excluded. The most common reason for esophageal rupture was iatrogenic injury (7 cases, 44%). Other causes included Boerhaave syndrome (5 cases, 31.2%), blunt trauma (2 cases, 12.5%), abscess perforation (1 case, 6.2%), and ulcer perforation (1 case, 6.2%). Ten patients underwent surgery, and the rest underwent esophageal prosthesis placement, of whom 2 cases required drainage of the mediastinum and pleural cavity. The mortality rate in the study group was 9/16 cases (56.2%). CONCLUSIONS Esophageal perforation poses a significant interdisciplinary challenge regarding diagnostic workup, selection of treatment methods, and management of potential postoperative complications. This retrospective study was conducted in a single center. Although the analyzed period was long, we found only 16 cases. In spite of a variety of etiologies present, we found several statistically significant results of potential clinical value. 1. Most perforations that are not diagnosed within 48 hours affected the lower part of the esophagus and presented with unclear symptoms and imaging findings 2. Delaying diagnosis and treatment beyond 24 hours was associated with a higher mortality rate.

Post-Traumatic Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia: A CaseReport

Objective: Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a xenoestrogen used in many consumer products. Here we present a case of dysfunctional uterine bleeding after exposure to dental sealant containing BPA. Design: Case Report Setting: Academic Medical Center Intervention: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding was diagnosed, and no therapy was initiated. Results: The patient continued to experience bleeding following each exposure. Conclusion: Female patients undergoing dental procedures that use BPA containing compounds may experience dysfunctional bleeding.

Cervical esophageal rupture after blunt trauma resulting from a car accident

Traumatic perforation of the cervical esophagus due to blunt trauma is a very rare condition which continues to be associated with significant mortality rates. The symptoms and signs of this injury are often masked by or ascribed to more common blunt thoracic injuries. This paper presents a case of cervical esophageal perforation secondary to blunt trauma resulting from a car accident. The injury was diagnosed early by computed tomography examination, and the patient underwent prompt and successful surgical repair performed to prevent the development of descending mediastinitis.

A very unusual case of attempted suicide

We would like to present a case report of a very unusual suicide attempt. A 48-year-old female patient tried to commit suicide by stabbing herself with a kitchen knife into her neck. Suicide by self-stabbing is uncommon, constituting only 1-3% of suicide attempts. Patients with self-inflicted stab wounds may have a higher incidence of surgical interventions based on the stab location. Surprisingly, the mortality associated with this kind of wound is low. Most medical centers have very limited experience with this infrequent injury. There are only a few case reports and small series published in the literature of the subject.