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W marcu 2017 roku przeprowadzone zostało badanie płynowe, którego celem była ocena zjawiska, jakim jest śródopera- cyjne przetaczanie płynów. Głównym powodem jego przeprowadzenia była chęć poznania, jak sami prowadzimy płynoterapię oraz uświadomienie sobie, że pisząc o znieczuleniu zdarza się nie pamiętać o tak ważnej czynności, jaką jest podłączenie kroplówki. Ucząc studentów ze smutkiem zauważam, że do płynoterapii nie przywiązuje się należytej uwagi, pozwalając, aby absolwent kończący studia znał jedynie 0,9% NaCl. Zna za to techniki znieczulenia i leki, które są podawane w celu jego wywołania. W ciągu jednego dnia w prawie 190 szpitalach w Polsce rejestrowano co (jaki płyn?), komu i w jakiej objętości podłączano oraz przez jaki okres czasu przetaczano. Badanie dotyczyło planowych operacji, a stan chorych był określony w skali stanu fizycznego na I-III stopień. Dodatkowym osiągnięciem badania było to, że poznano, jakie techniki znieczulenia wykonują lekarze. Udało się. Ogromne podziękowania należą się koordynatorom projektu oraz samym zespołom anestezjologicznym (zespołom - podkreślam, bo karty wypełniały również panie pielęgniarki), które przy takim ogromie pracy wykonywanej na co dzień, znalazły czas na to, aby wypełnić jeszcze jeden arkusz i odesłać go do badaczy. Wyniki badania zaskoczyły mnie w niektórych momentach. Czemu - zapraszam na wykład. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Płynoterapia jest zagadnieniem bliskim sercu każdego anestezjologa. W końcu każdego dnia zleca on przetoczenie płynów krwiozastępczych i krwiopochodnych. Nie ma praktycznie sytuacji, w której w czasie znieczulenia - zarówno ogólnego, jak i dotchawiczego czy przewodowego - nie zachodziłaby konieczność przetaczania płynów. Płyny infuzyjne mają różny skład. Są krystaloidami albo koloidami. Te ostatnie mogą być sztuczne lub naturalne. Dlatego też znajomość zasad przetaczania płynów, dobranych indywidulanie do chorego, może być przyczyną jego szybszego wyzdrowienia. W pracy przedstawiono współczesne zasady płynoterapii okołooperacyjnej. Można je ująć w kilku stwierdzeniach: rozważnie, jak najkrócej, indywidualnie dokonując wyboru płynu, najlepiej zbilansowanego, unikanie 0,9% NaCl. Należy dołożyć starań, aby przetaczać krystaloidy i koloidy zbilansowane, unikając jak to tylko możliwe 0,9% NaCl. Nie należy zapominać również o tym, że objętość przetaczaną stanowią również preparaty krwiopochodne, które należy wliczać do bilansu płynowego, czasami niestety różnie z tym bywa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Several initiatives have recently focused on raising awareness about limitations of treatment in Poland. We aimed to assess if the propensity to limit LST among elderly patients in 2018-2019 increased compared to 2016-2017., Methods: We analysed Polish cohorts from studies VIP1 (October 2016 - May 2017) and VIP2 (May 2018 - May 2019) that enrolled critical patients aged >80. We collected data on demographics, clinical features limitations of LST. Primary analysis assessed factors associated with prevalence of limitations of LST, A secondary analysis explored differences between patients with and without limitations of LST., Results: 601 patients were enrolled. Prevalence of LST limitations was 16.1% in 2016-2017 and 20.5% in 2018-2019. No difference was found in univariate analysis (p = 0.22), multivariable model showed higher propensity towards limiting LST in the 2018-2019 cohort compared to 2016-2017 cohort (OR 1.07;95%CI, 1.01-1.14). There was higher mortality and a longer length of stay of patients with limitations of LST compared to the patients without limitations of LST. (11 vs. 6 days, p = 0.001)., Conclusions: The clinicians in Poland have become more proactive in limiting LST in critically ill patients ≥80 years old over the studied period, however the prevalence of limitations of LST in Poland remains low., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The study aims to present a case of acute mercuric chloride poisoning treated successfully with continuous renal replacement therapy using the CytoSorb filter., Case Description: A 21-year-old female patient after a suicide attempt by intentional ingestion of mercuric chloride, was admitted to the hospital with features of multiple organ damage for specific treatment. The performed laboratory tests confirmed high levels of mercury in the blood (1051 μg/L) and urine (22,960 μg/L). Due to acute renal failure, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) CVVHD Ci-Ca was initiated; the procedure was then converted to CVVHDF Ci-Ca with ultrafiltration to optimise therapy, and CytoSorb was added to the artificial kidney system on day 3. Specific antidote therapy (DMPS) was administered concurrently. The ongoing treatment resulted in a reduction in subjective complaints, a decrease in blood mercury levels to 580 μg/L, and an improvement in parenchymal organ function., Conclusion: In the event of poisoning with inorganic mercury compounds (mercuric chloride), continuous renal replacement therapy using the CytoSorb filter as an extracorporeal blood purification method may be considered., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Introduction: Elderly patients pose a significant challenge to intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians. In this study we attempted to characterise the population of patients over 80 years old admitted to ICUs in Poland and identify associations between clinical features and short-term outcomes., Material and Methods: The study is a post-hoc analysis of the Polish cohort of the VIP2 European prospective observational study enrolling patients > 80 years old admitted to ICUs over a 6-month period. Data including clinical features, clinical frailty scale (CFS), geriatric scales, interventions within the ICU, and outcomes (30-day and ICU mortality and length of stay) were gathered. Univariate analyses comparing frail (CFS > 4) to non-frail patients and survivors to non-survivors were performed. Multivariable models with CFS, activities of daily living score (ADL), and the cognitive decline questionnaire IQCODE as predictors and ICU or 30-day mortality as outcomes were formed., Results: A total of 371 patients from 27 ICUs were enrolled. Frail patients had significantly higher ICU (58% vs. 44.45%, P = 0.03) and 30-day (65.61% vs. 54.14%, P = 0.01) mortality compared to non-frail counterparts. The survivors had significantly lower SOFA score, CFS, ADL, and IQCODE than non-survivors. In multivariable analysis CFS (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.34) and SOFA score (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.19-1.41) were identified as significant predictors for ICU mortality; however, CFS was not a predictor for 30-day mortality ( P = 0.07). No statistical significance was found for ADL, IQCODE, polypharmacy, or comorbidities., Conclusions: We found a positive correlation between CFS and ICU mortality, which might point to the value of assessing the score for every patient admitted to the ICU. The older Polish ICU patients were characterised by higher mortality compared to the other European countries.

This study aims to present a case of acute mercuric chloride poisoning at a potentially lethal dose treated with the antidote - 2,3-dimercapto- 1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) combined with CytoSorb. A 21-year-old woman was admitted to a hospital with abdominal pain, vomiting, and suspected gastrointestinal bleeding after taking 5000 mg of mercuric chloride for suicidal purposes. Due to the patient deteriorating general condition and multiple organ damage, on the third day she was transported to the Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (CAaIC), Łódź, Poland. Laboratory tests confirmed features of acute kidney injury and high mercury levels in the blood (1051 μg/l) and urine (22 960 μg/l) - DMPS therapy and CRRT combined with CytoSorb were instituted. Due to nervous system complaints (headache, dizziness), a lumbosacral puncture was performed - the mercury concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was 5.45 μg/l. During a colonoscopy, significant diagnostic abnormalities revealed features of colonic mucosal necrosis. The treatment resulted in a decrease in subjective complaints, decreased mercury levels in biological material, and improved parenchymal organ function. On the 15th day of therapy, the patient was transferred to the primary care center for further treatment. The case confirms the possibility of improvement of patient condition following ingestion of a potentially lethal dose (5 g) as a result of the initiation of appropriate therapy even on the third day. The presence of mercury in CSF confirms that inorganic mercury compounds (mercuric chloride) can pass through the blood-brain barrier after oral ingestion. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(5):685-92., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

One of the target of perioperative tratment in surgery is decreasing intraoperative bleeding, which increases the number of perioperative procedures, mortality and treatment costs, and also causes the risk of transfusion of blood and its components. Trying to minimize the blood loss(mainly during the operation) as well as the need to transfuse blood and its components (broadly understood perioperative period) should be standard treatment for a patient undergoing a procedure. In the case of this method, the following steps should be taken: 1) in the preoperative period: identyfication of risk groups as quickly as possible, detecting and treating anemia, applying prehabilitation, modyfying anticoagulant treatment, considering donating one's own blood in some patients and in selected cases erythropoietin preparations; 2) in the perioperative period: aim for normothermia, normovolemia and normoglycemia, use of surgical methods that reduce bleeding, such as minimally invasive surgery, high-energy coagulation, local hemostatics, prevention of surgical site infection, proper transfusion of blood and its components if it occurs; 3) in the postoperative period: monitor the condition of patients, primarily for the detection of bleeding, rapid reoperation if required, suplementation (oral administration preferred) nutrition with microelements (iron) and vitamins, updating its general condition. All these activities, comprehensively and in surgical cooperation with the anesthesiologist, should reduce the blood loss and transfusion of blood and its components.

Background: The increasing population of very old intensive care patients (VIPs) is a major challenge currently faced by clinicians and policymakers. Reliable indicators of VIPs' prognosis and purposefulness of their admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) are urgently needed., Methods: This is a report from the Polish sample of the VIP1 multicentre cohort study (NCT03134807). Patients ≥ 80 years of age admitted to the ICU were included in the study. Information on the type and reason for admission, demographics, utilisation of ICU procedures, ICU length of stay, organ dysfunction and the decision to apply end-of-life care was collected. The primary objective was to investigate the impact of frailty syndrome on ICU and 30-day survival of VIPs. Frailty was assessed with the Clinical Frailty Scale (≥ 5 points on a scale of 1-9)., Results: We enrolled 272 participants with a median age of 84 (81-87) years. Frailty was diagnosed in 170 (62.5%) patients. The ICU and 30-day survival rates were equal to 54.6% and 47.3% respectively. Three variables were found to significantly increase the odds of death in the ICU in a multiple logistic regression model: SOFA score (OR = 1.16; 95%CI 1.16-1.24), acute mode of admission (OR = 5.1; 95%CI 1.67-15.57) and frailty (OR = 2.25; 95%CI 1.26-4.01)., Conclusion: Measuring frailty in critically ill older adults can facilitate making more informed clinical decisions and help avoid futile interventions.

Hemostatic agents are currently used in the form of special granules or soaked gauze. Their use is particularly advantageous in difficult body location (e.g. on neck, armpit or groin), where other methods of bleeding control are impossible to use or fail. In a tactical environment tranexamic acid received first class recommendation for use in case of severe bleeding in the US Army. Its application should be considered in case of traumatic amputation, penetrating chest and abdominal trauma or hemorrhagic shock. The aim of the implementation of hypotensive resuscitation is to maintain perfusion of vital organs in patient with hypovolemia, without excessive fluid infusion. Modern method of bleeding control in combat condition are compression clamps. The purpose of these devices is to compress blood vessel by external pressure pads, especially in difficult to access arteries and large veins in the pelvis or in the distal abdominal aorta., (© 2015 MEDPRESS.)

The paper presents the case of a 25-year-old woman who underwent cesarean section for gynecological indications in the 37(th) week of her second pregnancy. The perioperative course was uncomplicated, but one day later the general condition of the patient suddenly deteriorated: she developed respiratory disorders requiring intubation and treatment in an intensive care unit. On the 6(th) day after the surgery, the patient was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Appropriate conservative treatment was instituted, resulting in a gradual improvement of her condition. On the 13(th) postoperative day, a cardiac arrest in asystole occurred, with no response to the undertaken resuscitation procedures. An autopsy performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Łódź revealed, among other findings, acute pancreatitis with enzymatic necrosis of the adipose tissue, a significant accumulation of lymph in both pleural cavities, and pulmonary atelectasis. As demonstrated by the analysis of the case, chylothorax had most probably developed in the course of acute pancreatitis which was a complication of the cesarean section. Consequently, the prosecutor opened an investigation into the case under Article 155 of the Polish Penal Code to assess the appropriateness of medical management. The medico-legal opinion was issued by experts from outside the Department of Forensic Medicine in Łódź. In their view, the medical management of the patient was correct.

It is assumed that tactical medicine encompasses all therapeutic activities performed by a military medical service during military and humanitarian missions. Its scope is only apparently limited by the standards which, when referred to the NATO member countries, have been collected in the Joint Theater Trauma System - Clinical Practice Guidelines. The stage-structured character of medical assistance and treatment of the wounded, injured and sick patients assumes that the scope of therapeutic activities performed at each stage is limited only to essential actions. Consequently, more injured patients may be saved - those for whom life-saving activities are performed prior to their transfer to a higher level. The second level is represented by a field hospital. Its first structure is the trauma room in which a rescue team saves and qualifies the injured for further medical activities. Each injured patient undergoes an eFAST ultrasound examination which allows for a quick decision about a surgical treatment to be provided. Moreover, this technique is helpful in vascular cannulation. The authors present their own experiences with using an ultrasound examination during the work in the Field Hospital of the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan.

Introduction: The number of total hip and total knee replacement procedures performed worldwide has tended to surge in recent years, due to the combination of such factors as the increased life expectancy, improved quality of life, advances in medical technology as well as pre-operative and post-operative patient management.Numerous studies confirm that patients undergoing major orthopaedics procedures involving lower extremities, for instance total hip and total knee replacement, constitute the highest risk group for the development of post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE), primarily manifested as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)., Purpose: The purpose of the research was to assess the dynamics of D-dimer level fluctuation during the post-operative period in patients after the cemented or cementless total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR), in order to prove or reject the thesis that the cemented and cementless THR or TKR affects the post-operative D-dimer levels., Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 47 patients aged 29-82 years. Of them, 23 had the cementless THR, 12 subjects had the cemented THR and another 12 patients had the TKR. All of the patients performed to measure the concentration of D-dimers in the peri-operative period at predetermined time points. For the peri-operative period was adopted from time 1 day before surgery to 10-day hospitalization. The subarachnoid block (SAB) was performed in all patients., Results: The distribution of D-dimer values throughout the entire post-operative period (up to 10th post-operative day) followed the sinusoid pattern with two peaks in all patients. It was not specific in any group., Conclusions: 1. The D-dimer level almost doubles during the post-operative period in patients after THR or TKR.2. Higher level of D-dimers in post-operative period in the research group of patients does not relate to higher risk of thromboembolic disease.

Introduction: The aim of the work was to assess early complications of Griggs percutaneous tracheotomy in the own material., Material and Methods: The study covered 155 patients aged 17-88, including 36 women and 119 men. The patients were treated at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy between 2006-2010. They underwent Griggs percutaneous tracheostomy by a laryngologist or a trained anaesthesiologist. Each surgical procedure was conducted with the use of Portex Blue Line Ultra Percutaneous Tracheotomy Kit (Smiths Medical Co., USA), the trachea was intubated while the patient was under general anaesthesia with propofol, fentanyl and relaxation with atracurium., Results: The studied material revealed Griggs percutaneous tracheotomy complications in 26 patients (16.8%), in which 11 patients (7.1%) presented complications within the perioperative period while 15 patients (9.7%) reported early complications. Haemorrhage, usually not very profuse, occurred 7 times (4.6%), mainly in tracheopunction, and was the most often perioperative complication. Moreover, in the perioperative period, 3 patients (1.9%) had trachea identifications difficulties, which required tracheopunction many a time, and 1 patient (0.65%) encountered sudden circulatory arrest with asystolia and effective CPR. In the early postoperative period after Griggs percutaneous tracheotomy, the most common complication was haemorrhage in the operative twenty-four hours, which was noted in 10 patients (6.5%). Among other adverse complications were found: infection of the tissues near the tracheostomal region in 3 patients (1.9%), subcutaneous oedema in 1 patient (0.65%), accidental removing the tube from an unformed tracheostoma in 1 patient (0.65%)., Conclusions: In the studied material, complications after Griggs percutaneous tracheotomy amounted to 16.8%, of which 7.1% occurred in the perioperative period while 9.7% were early complications, mainly light bleeding. This may prove good preparation of the surgical team for the surgical procedures., (Copyright © 2012 Polish Otolaryngology Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.)

Background: Premedication reduces requirement for anaesthestic agents during anaesthesia. There have been few papers published on the effects of clonidine on the MAC of volatile agents. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of premedication with midazolam or clonidine on remifentanil and sevoflurane requirements, necessary to achieve an adequate level of anaesthesia, in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy., Methods: ASA I and II patients were randomly allocated to three groups. Two groups received premedication with either 150 mg of clonidine, or 7.5-15 mg of midazolam. The third group received a placebo. All patients were induced with remifentanil and sevoflurane, and intubated after relaxation with rocuronium. The sevoflurane concentration was adjusted to achieve entropy values between 60 and 50. Analgesia was maintained with remifentanil via infusion at a rate of 0.05-0.15 microg kg(-1) min(-1)., Results: Sixty patients were enrolled to the study. The concentration of sevoflurane necessary to maintain entropy between 55 and 60 was statistically lower in the midazolam group than in the placebo group (p = 0.006) or the clonidine group (p = 0.02). No statistically significant differences in remifentanil requirements were observed. The recovery time was shortest in the placebo group (p < 0.05), slightly longer in the clonidine group (p > 0.05), and longest in the midazolam group (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Clonidine did not affect the MAC of sevoflurane and remifentanil requirement. Midazolam decreased the time taken for induction of anaesthesia.

Background: Formaldehyde can be found in operating theatres where it is used for preservation of biopsied tissues. Several misuse accidents have been described previously.We present a case where formaldehyde was mistakenly injected intravenously., Case Report: A 33-year-old man, scheduled for excision of a knee meniscus under spinal anaesthesia, was to receive an intravenous antibiotic at the end of surgery. The attending anaesthesiologist received a vial of cephazolin, marked with the patient name from a scrub nurse and injected its contents intravenously. Immediately after injection, the patient complained about strong pain at the site of injection and started to cough.The vial was checked again and a piece of meniscus preserved with 4% formaldehyde was found inside. It was intended to be offered to the patient on departure. The possible amount offormaldehyde injected was 400 mg (a lethal dose has been described as 12 g). The patient, despite the lack of cardiorespiratory failure, was intubated, ventilated and dialysed for six hours, and then extubated without further consequences. His biochemical markers remained in the normal range. Based on the case as described, the possible medico-legal consequences of poor organisation and preventive measures are discussed.

This case describes a series of errors which resulted in an avoidable death of the patient. Upon being presented with the 83-year-old patient and her complaints, the physician in charge attempted to prescribe Vasolastine (a complex preparation used, for example, in treatment of angiopathy, which is administered intramuscularly once a day). Unfortunately he misspelled the name of the medicine as Vinplastyna--a non-existent preparation. When the patient's daughter went to collect the prescription from the pharmacist she was dispensed Vinblastin (vinblastine--a cytostatic medicine used, for example, in treating Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphatic leukemia and testicular cancer). The visiting community nurses administered a dose of this medicine on seven consecutive days. Upon being given the seventh dose, the patient displayed symptoms of myelophthisis, and was admitted to an Intensive Care Ward, where despite the treatment, she died.

Blunt chest traumas are common nowadays due to development of motor transport. They are associated with high mortality rates because of serious injuries of internal organs. The mechanisms of injuries are complex and may cause damages ranging from small ones, such as bruises or abrasions, to life-threatening trauma. Among typical injuries there are rib fractures, sternal fractures, pneumothorax, hemothorax, diaphragm lacerations, pulmonary contusions, cardiac tamponade, cardiac rupture and many others. The authors of the article would like to emphasize the pathophysiology and diagnostic difficulties in such blunt chest trauma complications as pulmonary contusions and acute respiratory distress syndrome, for which no causal treatment is available and only early diagnosis and administration of symptomatic treatment may increase the patients' chances to survive. In Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Łódź, an opinion was issued on a case which illustrates the clinical problem.

Background: Propofol is probably the most popular intravenous anaesthetic in daily practice. Its use is known to be associated with dose-dependent cardiovascular compromise. We have assessed the effect of a single dose of propofol on cardiovascular function., Methods: Eighty-six ASA I and II patients of both sexes, scheduled for elective thoracic cancer surgery, were enrolled to the study. Midazolam 7.5 mg was given as premedication. All patients received epidural or paravertebral catheters one day before the surgery, and a Swan-Ganz catheter before induction. MAP, CO, SVI, PAP, PCWP, SVRI, PVRI, LVSWI, RWSWI and CPP were measured before induction (I) and after administration of 1 mg kg(-1) propofol with 1-3 microg kg(-1) fentanyl, during spontaneous respiration (II)., Results: Propofol increased: heart rate (8%), PAP (12%), PVRI (27%), PCWP (27%) and decreased MAP (4.5%), CI (12%), SVI (18%), LVSWI (23%), RVSWI (17%). CPP decreased by 7%. SVRI remained unchanged., Discussion and Conclusions: The results indicated that 1 mg kg(-1) propofol moderately compromised cardiac contractility and increased afterload on the right ventricle, without significant effect on coronary perfusion pressure. The cardiovascular compromise was clinically insignificant, but caution is required when propofol is administered in larger doses.

Background: This prospective randomized study compared the effects of two techniques--thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), and thoracic paravertebral analgesia (TPVA), on pain control and haemodynamics after thoracotomy., Methods: Sixty adult ASA 1 and 2 patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups to receive either: (I) 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine before and at the end of surgery via a thoracic epidural catheter; or (II) 30 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine before, and 15 mL at the end of surgery, via a thoracic paravertebral catheter. During the postoperative period, patients of both groups received continuous infusion of 0.1 mL kg(-1) h(-1) into the respective spaces. This technique was supplemented by patient-controlled intravenous infusion of fentanyl (bolus 0.02 mg; lock-out time 12 min)., Results: The average dose of fentanyl administered intraoperatively in both groups was similar. Blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in the TEA group. Pain intensity, assessed using the NRS and PHHPS scales, was similar in both groups. PCA fentanyl consumption was higher in theTPVA group., Conclusions: (1) Thoracic paravertebral anaesthesia can be regarded as a satisfactory alternative to epidural anaesthesia for control of post-thoracotomy pain. (2) The effect of paravertebral anaesthesia on blood pressure and heart rate is minimal, therefore this technique may be recommended for patients with coexisting circulatory disease. (3) The frequency of use of the PCA system cannot be regarded as an objective method of pain assessment.

Descending necrotic mediastinitis is a serious illness which, among others, follows acute bacterial infections located in a cervical area. One of the most frequent causes of this illness, not connected with surgical interventions, is a peritonsillar and peridental abscess. The process originally placed in the peritonsillar area spreads along the cervical fascia engulfs mediastinum. Inflammatory process of the mediastinum considerably worsens the prognosis and obligates to decisive surgical (mediastinum drainage) and pharmacological (antibiotic therapy) treatments. The following works presents the course of the illness of a 55-year-old man who was diagnosed with severe sepsis in the course of the peritonsillar abscess. After surgical provision of the abscess (incision) the patient was qualified for the therapy with activated protein C (Xigris, Lilly). The patient condition initially improved, however, after 8 days a descending necrotic mediastinitis with ambilateral pleural abscess was diagnosed. The administration of the treatment within 48 days of hospitalization (antibiotic therapy, thoracotomy, flow drainage of the mediastinum, tracheotomy, respirotherapy) brought about the effect of complete recovery.

Background: Twenty-five percent of patients with diagnosed acute pancreatitis (AP) present a severe form of it. One of the most widespread complications of such a form is severe sepsis or septic shock, in which mortality can reach 80%. A complication of this state is multiple organ failure, which requires multi-directional treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). Among the standard therapies are: control of the source of infection, supportive treatment of failed organ function, and others (e.g. dietary therapy, pain management, and physiotherapy). It is also now possible to use recombinant human activated protein C [drotrecogin alfa (activated); Xigris, Eli Lilly, USA] in the treatment of severe sepsis., Case Report: In this study, the cases of two patients in whom severe sepsis was found during the course of acute pancreatitis are presented. In both cases it was established clinically (by laparotomy) and bacteriologically that necrosis-altered fragments of the pancreas were the sources of infection., Conclusions: Both the cases presented indicate that drotrecogin alfa (activated) interrupts the developmental cascade of severe sepsis. Proofs of the efficacy of the treatment were improvements in the functions of organs previously insufficient during the course of sepsis. The rapid elimination of the drug allowed planning therapy strategies (the possibility of conducting surgical operations and smaller therapeutic interventions) without the risk of increased bleeding. The decision to use Xigris in severe sepsis during AP should always include consideration of the risk of bleeding in connection with the local status within the pancreas.

Basing on a review of literature and own experience the authors present the aetiology and various diagnostic methods of thoracic outlet syndrome (t.o.s.), especially electrodiagnostic and Doppler studies. Provocative tests like Wright, Adson or hyperabduction manouvers are discussed and their role in modern diagnosis of t.o.s. is presented.

The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of degenerative lesions of cervical vertebrae on blood flow velocity in the vertebrobasilar system measured by means of Doppler phenomenon using Transpect--TCD device according to generally accepted principles. The study was carried out in 20 healthy controls and 40 individuals with these lesions (aged 16-60 years). It was found that blood flow velocity in this arterial system is highly variable individually. In patients with degenerative changes pathological reduction of this velocity was found in this system which is an unquestionable evidence of the influence of these lesions on blood flow in vertebral arteries.

Using the neck rotation test during examination of Doppler's blood flows in vertebral arteries and basilar artery, the authors examined 60 subjects aged 16-60 years, including 20 healthy ones and 40 with cervical spondylarthrosis. The Transpect-TCD was used. Half the patients with cervical spine changes had also receptive hearing damage of low degree. The study demonstrated that neck rotation affected of patological Doppler's blood flows in one or in both vertebral arteries at 50% patients with cervical spondylarthrosis, but without clinical symptoms, and at 70% patients with cervical spondylarthrosis and clinical symptoms. The neck rotation test can have diagnostic significance by examination of sufficiency in vertebrobasilar system, or qualitative significance to microsurgical treatment.