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Introduction: Computer-based interactive techniques are becoming an important tool in medical education. One of the important benefits of the use of telemedicine in surgical training is the reduction of the number of people in the operating room. As shown in the studies, this can lead i.a. to the reduction in the risk of surgical site infections. Aim: The aim of this survey as held among fifth-year medical students at three academic centers was to assess the usefulness and effectiveness of telemedicine as a surgery-teaching tool. Material and methods: A transmission of a surgical procedure was carried out by each of the three participating centers according to a previously prepared schedule. Each transmission was preceded by the diagnostics, indications, and the course of the surgical procedure being discussed by the facilitator physician who also coordinated the transmission throughout the procedure. After the class, students received anonymous surveys consisting of fourteen questions as per the attached protocol so as to evaluate the class using the rating scale of 1 (the lowest rating) through 5 (the highest rating). The survey assessed the educational value (the knowledge acquired from the class), the form (interactivity, facilitator complicity), and the usefulness of the class for overall surgical education. Results: The survey was completed by 232 students, with 95% of respondents rating the usefulness of telemedicine classes in surgical education as very good or good. As many as 97% of students declared that the transmission had been a good or a very good tool in terms of delivery or adding to their knowledge of topographical anatomy and basic aspects of surgical technique. Higher ratings were given to the usefulness of comments and remarks by the facilitating physician (96% of very good or good ratings) who had been watching the procedure along with the students as compared to those provided by the operating physician (81%). Discussion: The use of telemedicine-based teaching models in surgical education facilitates a better view of the operating field for the students, greater accessibility of educational content delivered simultaneously to multiple groups of students, increased safety of the surgical procedure by reducing the number of people in the operating room as well as reduced burden on the operating physician (thanks to the introduction of class facilitator). Conclusions: In our opinion, the advantages of the presented teaching model are: better view (particularly in case of open procedures), ability to pinpoint surgical field structures (on the participants' and operator's monitors), absence of additional people (students) in the operating room (increasing the safety of the procedure and reducing the risk of surgical site infections) and the ability to go back to recorded operations and perform various types of educational analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Loop ileostomy reversal (LIR) procedure is still associated with a relatively high risk of complications. Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication in this group of patients. SSI leads to prolonged hospital stays, delays the adjuvant therapy, and increases hospital costs. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors for SSI in patients following loop ileostomy reversal procedure. Material and methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted in a tertiary reference center. Finally, 65 patients following loop ileostomy reversal procedure performed between 2018 and 2022 were enrolled in the study. Data were collected retrospectively based on the available medical charts. The study group comprised 23 women (35%) and 42 men (65%) with a mean age of 48.9 ±14.5 years and a mean body mass index of 24.3 ±4.9 kg/m². The most common indication for index surgery was ulcerative colitis (33%) and colorectal cancer (29%). Preferably, handsewn anastomosis was performed (n = 42; 64.6%). Results: The most important parameter evaluated in the above study was the diagnosis of surgical site infection, which influenced e.g. hospitalization after surgery, the need for antibiotic therapy, or C-reactive protein (CRP) values. Nine patients (13.8%) were diagnosed with SSI during their hospital stay (more than 86% without SSI). In the group with SSI, hospital stay exceeded 13 days compared to almost 6 days in the group without SSI (P = 0.00009). The time of the procedure had a statistically significant correlation with antibiotic therapy introduction (P = 0.01). The type of intestinal anastomosis had a significant impact on the operative time (P = 0.0011) and the time of hospital stay after surgery (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Most of the analyzed clinical factors were directly related to the impact on the duration of postoperative hospitalization. The duration of hospitalization is an independent and undeniable factor increasing the risk of other postoperative complications and significantly increasing the cost of hospitalization. Another factor that has a large clinical impact on postoperative treatment is the presence of comorbidities which make patients more likely to develop SSI, CRP increase, or the need for antibiotic therapy. An important factor was the level of CRP, the elevated value of which may be a predictor of many negative aspects in postoperative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hemorrhoidal disease is the most common disease treated in proctology ambulatories. Conservative treatment is the basic form of treatment for this disease. One of the elements of treatment may be preparations with myoand phlebotropic effects. Aim: To assess the effect of a multi-ingredient myophlebotropic dietary supplement used as an adjunct on the rate and effectiveness of symptom relief in patients with stage II and III hemorrhoidal disease. Material and method: Patients with stage II and III hemorrhoidal disease with clinical symptoms such as pain, burning, itching and bleeding were qualified for the study. The patients were divided into two groups. The control group (Group I) of 29 patients receiving standard local treatment plus placebo and the study group (Group II) of 32 patients receiving the same local treatment and a six-component myophlebotropic product. Symptoms were analyzed at the time of inclusion in the study (day 0), after 4 and 10 days of therapy. The severity of hemorrhoidal disease and the feeling of relief were assessed on the day of inclusion (W0) and after 30 days of therapy. Results: There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of disease advancement, age, gender, and duration of symptoms. Compared to the moment of inclusion in the study (W0), after 4 days (W1), after 10 days (W2) of taking the multi- -component product, there was a statistically significant improvement in the VAS scale: spontaneous pain and pain during defecation. In the qualitative assessment (yes/no), there were statistically significantly fewer cases of burning in the anus and itching. The treatment did not affect the rate of spontaneous bleeding, which was low at the beginning of the study, but significantly reduced the rate of bleeding during defecation. After 30 days of observation, it was found that the improvement in the severity of hemorrhoidal disease symptoms was significantly higher in the group using the tested preparation. Relief after a month of the study (one-question method) was noted in the group of patients receiving the tested product. Conclusions: The tested six-component myophlebotropic product proved to be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms such as spontaneous pain, pain during defecation, burning/burning in the anus and bleeding during defecation. Statistical significance was demonstrated in the symptom’s relief and reduction in the severity of hemorrhoidal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, much has been written about the possibilities of using exogenous sodium butyrate in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in prehabilitation, in peri- and postoperative treatment, as well as its local application. It became possible thanks to the development of a special formulation (microencapsulation technique) enabling the delivery of unstable butyrate compounds to the large intestine, where it is used primarily as a source of energy. It also plays a key role in maintaining body homeostasis by maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and stimulating the intestinal immune system. There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of sodium butyrate in various areas of health. The following article discusses the possibilities of using microencapsulated sodium butyrate in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases from the perspective of a gastroenterologist and gastrointestinal surgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The restoration of bowel continuity is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. Aim: The aim of the study was to report the outcomes of restoring intestinal continuity in a large patient cohort. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 91 patients with terminal stoma who were qualified for restoration of GI tract continuity between January 2015 and March 2020. The following demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed: age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, indication for stoma creation, operative time, the need for blood replacement, the site and type of the anastomosis, and complication and mortality rates. Results: The study group was comprised of 40 women (44%) and 51 men (56%). The mean BMI was 26.8 ±4.9 kg/m². Only 29.7% of the patients (n = 27) were at normal weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9) and only 11% (n = 10) did not suffer from any comorbidities. The most common indications for index surgery were complicated diverticulitis (37.4%) and colorectal cancer (21.9%). The stapled technique was used in the majority of patients (n = 79, 87%). The mean operative time was 191.7 ±71.4 min. Nine patients (9.9%) required blood replacement peri- or postoperatively, whereas 3 patients (3.3%) required intensive care unit admission. The overall surgical complication rate was 36.2% (n = 33) and the mortality rate was 1.1% (n = 1). Discussion: Restoration of bowel continuity is quite a demanding and complex procedure and thus should be performed by an experienced surgical team. In the majority of patients, the complication rate represents only minor complications. The morbidity and mortality rates are acceptable and comparable to other publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: An ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) leak is one of the most severe complications after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC). We present a rare case of successful management of IPAA leak after RPC without defunctioning stoma with the use of endoscopic vacuum therapy. Methods: A 57-year-old male with an ileal pouch anal anastomosis leak after RPC due to ulcerative colitis with a presacral abscess was qualified for endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT). The abscess of the left buttock was drained and secured with suction drain (redon drain). Due to the lack of defunctioning stoma, a system to contain and divert fecal matter was placed within an afferent limb of the J-pouch and EVT was placed directly within IPAA dehiscence. EVT was changed every third day. Results: The patient underwent a total of five EVT sessions. Improvement of patient's general condition characterized with a lack of pelvic pain, fever and reduction of inflammatory markers was achieved. Locally, anastomosis dehiscence was healed with prominent reduction in the defect's dimension, contraction and revascularization. Based on imaging studies no chronic presacral sinus or any other perianal disturbances were revealed in the five-month follow-up. Conclusions: EVT is a promising method for management of IPAA leak. Although it remains extremely difficult, EVT may serve as a method of choice in early pouch-related septic complications after RPC performed without defunctioning stoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perirectal fistulas in the course of Crohn's disease (CD) constitute an important problem in this group of patients. They are observed in a vast majority of patients with involvement through colorectal inflammation. Perirectal fistulas in CD present a great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to the intensified clinical symptoms and worse prognosis than in the case of crypt originating fistulas. The condition for implementation of effective treatment of perirectal fistulas in the course of CD is correct diagnosis, defining the anatomy of fistulas, presence of potential stenoses and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment of these fistulas is difficult and requires close cooperation between the colorectal surgeon and the gastroenterologist. The combination of surgical and pharmacological treatment has higher efficacy compared to surgical treatment or pharmacotherapy alone. In conservative treatment, aminosalicylates and steroids are of minor importance, while chemotherapeutics, antibiotics and thiopurines find application in daily clinical practice. TNF-a neutralizing antibodies such as infliximab (IFX), adalimumab (ADA) or certolizumab (CER) prove to be the most effective. Surgical treatment may be provided as ad hoc; in this case drainage procedures are recommended, usually with leaving a loose seton. Planned procedures consist in the excision of fistulas (simple fistulas) or performing more complex procedures, such as advancement flaps or ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract Surgical measures can be complemented by the use of video technology (video-assisted anal fistula treatment VAAFT) or vacuum therapy. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to create the stoma. Treatment of perirectal fistulas includes adhesives or so-called plugs. High hopes may be associated with the introduction of stem cells into clinical practice, which is the administration of non-hematopoietic multipotent cells to the fistulas to induce the phenomenon of immunomodulation and tissue healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries (BDI) are still a challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problem. With the introduction of the laparoscopic technique for the treatment of cholecystolithiasis, the incidence of iatrogenic BDI increased. The aim of the study was a retrospective analysis of 69 patients treated at the department due to iatrogenic BDI in the years 2004-2014. Material and methods. In this paper, we presented the results of a retrospective analysis of 69 patients treated at the Department due to iatrogenic BDI in the years 2004-2014. The data were analysed in terms of age, sex, type of biliary injury, clinical symptoms, the type of repair surgery, the time between the primary surgery and the BDI management, postoperative complications and duration of hospital stay. Results. 82.6% of BDI occurred during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 8.7% occurred during open cholecystectomy, whereas 6 cases of BDI resulted from surgeries conducted for other indications. In order to assess the degree of BDI, Bismuth and Neuhaus classifications were used (for open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy respectively). 84.1% of patients with confirmed BDI, were transferred to the Department from other hospitals. The average time between the primary surgery and reoperation was 6.2 days (SD 4). The most common clinical symptom was biliary fistula observed in 78.3% of patients. In 28 patients, unsuccessful attempts to manage BDI were made prior to the admission to the Department in other centres. The repair procedure was mainly conducted by laparotomy (82.6%) and by the endoscopic approach (15.9%). Hepaticojejunostomy was the most common type of reconstruction following BDI (34.7%). Conclusions. The increase in the rate of iatrogenic bile duct injury remains a challenging surgical problem. The management of BDI should be multidisciplinary treatment. Referring patients with both suspected and confirmed iatrogenic BDI to tertiary centres allows more effective treatment to be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]