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Background: The laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP), unlike the Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair, allows for inspecting the femoral canal area for the presence of an occult femoral hernia., Objectives: To determine the incidence of an unsuspected femoral hernia in patients undergoing TEP repair., Material and Methods: Data was collected prospectively from 180 patients (23 women) who underwent hernia repair, including examination of the femoral canal, between November 2017 and March 2019, and the incidence of a femoral hernia was determined. Correlations between the incidence of a femoral hernia and sex, age and the type of inguinal hernia diagnosed in the patients (indirect, direct, both indirect and direct) were assessed., Results: Femoral hernias were found in 14 patients (7.77%). None of the hernias had previously been detected clinically. The incidence of a femoral hernia was higher in women (6/23, 26.07%) than in men (8/157, 5.09%). The incidence of a femoral hernia was higher in older patients: the average age of patients with a femoral hernia was 57.86 years (median: 60 years), whereas the average age of patients without a femoral hernia was 49.92 years (median: 49 years). However, the correlation was not statistically significant. No correlation was found between the incidence of a femoral hernia and the type of inguinal hernia diagnosed in the patients (direct, indirect, both indirect and direct)., Conclusions: The TEP repair allows for detecting and repairing an occult femoral hernia.

Background: Disturbances in pancreatic microcirculation, beginning with vasoconstriction, are crucial in early pancreatitis and progression to necrotizing pancreatitis. Thus, vascular-targeted treatment aiming to restore a sufficient level of microcirculation through vasodilation would possibly reduce the severity of pancreatitis. Lidocaine is an anti-arrhythmic and local anesthetic drug, which also acts as a vasodilator at higher concentrations., Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of intra-arterial infusion of lidocaine into the celiac trunk in treatment of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis., Material and Methods: Wistar rats (n = 20) were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: the control group (NaCl group, n = 10) and the study group (lidocaine group, n = 10). All subjects underwent surgical intervention with intra-arterial infusion of 0.9% NaCl (control group) or 1% lidocaine hydrochloride (study group) into the celiac trunk. Blood samples were collected 5 times at regular intervals from each rat for amylase and lipase measurements. Histopathological analysis of the pancreas was performed., Results: A total number of 16 rats (control group n = 7, study group n = 9) were included. In the postoperative course, the study group (lidocaine group) revealed lower values of serum amylase and lipase levels compared to the control group (NaCl group), except the values at the 1st treatment point, which appeared 1 h after intraoperative drug injection. Significantly lower treatment endpoint levels of pancreatic enzymes were seen in the lidocaine group. Moreover, no differences were observed between the 1st and the last treatment point in the control group; however, these differences were significant for both enzymes in the study group. Histopathology revealed reduced pancreatitis severity in the study group compared to the controls., Conclusions: Intra-arterial lidocaine infusion into the celiac trunk decreases pancreatitis severity. What is more, this study demonstrates the relevance of early vasodilation in the therapy of acute pancreatitis.

One of the most important complications during thyroid surgery is injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) which leads to dysfunction and palsy of the vocal folds. Adequate knowledge about the location of the RLN supported by neuromonitoring can help the operating surgeon to prevent this complication. Visualisation of the nerve alone seems to not be enough. Much more important is an estimation of the function of the RLN. One can say that nowadays we are in the passing era (transition period) of only visualisation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during operation and entering the era of its neuromonitoring. Neuromonitoring gives us information about the location and function of the RLN. Using this equipment, thyroid surgery becomes safer not only for the patients but also for the operating surgeon in the way of the medicolegal consequences of surgical complications.