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Biliary tract malignancies belong to very aggressive malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. The only radical treatment is surgical resection which is possible only in a limited number of cases due to late diagnosis. The aim of this report was to present the experience of our own department with the diagnosis and treatment of these tumours.In the years 2005-2021 radical (R0) resection was performed in 27 (28.4%) patients, the same number were managed only symptomatically and in 41 (43.2%) patients we used biliary stenting and external-internal drainage as the definitive procedure. Adjuvant oncological treatment was indicated in 16 (59.3%) of the radically operated and 49 (72.1%) of the non-operated patients.Median overall survival and median progression-free survival in the operated patients were 19.9 months and 15.7 months, respectively. Overall survival in the operated patients was significantly better (p.

Visceral artery aneurysms are rare findings in the practice of vascular surgeons. Their inaccessibility to physical examination, asymptomatic nature in many cases, but also an inherent risk of rupture that can be life threatening, make them a complex diagnostic and therapeutic problem. By presenting a case report of a ruptured common hepatic artery aneurysm the authors summarize basic characteristics of these aneurysms, as well as diagnostic and treatment options.

Introduction: Vascular graft infection is a rare but serious complication in vascular surgery, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of vascular graft infection is important for proper and timely surgical and antibiotic treatment that improves the outcome. The tactic and techniques of surgical treatment of vascular graft infection have changed over the last two decades, and this trend can also be observed in our retrospective study. Methods: We evaluated a group of patients with prosthetic vascular reconstructions performed at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital in Pilsen in the period of 2003–2021 using retrospective analysis. In the analyzed 19-year period, 23 infected vascular grafts were managed out of a total of 2090 performed peripheral bypasses, and 27 infected vascular grafts were managed out of a total set of 1940 central reconstructions. Results: The incidence of peripheral vascular graft infections at our Department of Surgery in the period of 2003–2021 reached 1.1% with the early mortality rate of 8.7%; 1.4% central vascular graft infections occurred in the same time period with 33% early mortality. Conclusion: The results of our retrospective study are comparable virtually in all parameters with the experience of other departments. Consistently, our department switched to in situ replacements for explanted vascular grafts and we can confirm good experience with silver impregnated grafts

Surgical skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) result from microbial invasion of the skin and underlying soft tissues, often requiring surgical treatment. SSTIs encompass a variety of pathological conditions, ranging from frequent simple superficial skin infections with very good outcomes to rare, rapidly progressive necrotizing infections associated with long-lasting morbidity and high mortality. The document summarizes current knowledge of the diagnosis and therapy of these diseases and provides clinicians with current standards of care of these patients based on international guidelines. Additionally, regional specific aspects are also reflected, and thus in all cases, this paper on diagnostic-therapeutic management of individual clinical forms respects the actual clinical practice and epidemiology in the Czech Republic. The document has been prepared based on multidisciplinary consensus of experts from universities all over the Czech Republic.

Introduction: Diaphragmatic rupture is a rare but life-threatening condition that occurs in 0.85% of surgically managed thoracoabdominal injuries. In most cases, the condition is accompanied by associated traumas responsible for poor prognosis. Signs of diaphragmatic rupture are often masked by more serious manifestations of the associated trauma. The rupture is usually revealed by an X-ray of the chest or CT scan. However, a minor defect may be missed, especially if the patient is not indicated for urgent surgery. Methods: The authors present 2 case reports of patients treated for chronic diaphragmatic rupture at the Department of Surgery of the Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital in Pilsen between 01 January 2009 and 31 December 2021. The aim was to analyze the clinical data and to compare this data with literature. Results: Both patients with the chronic diaphragmatic rupture were men in their productive age. The mechanism of their primary trauma was a traffic accident. In the first case, the rupture was diagnosed 6 years after the trauma. The second case was diagnosed 14 years after the primary trauma. The diaphragmatic rupture was present on the left side in the first case and on the right in the other. Both patients underwent suture of the diaphragmatic defect via thoracotomy. Conclusion: Unrecognized diaphragmatic rupture is a severe condition that can result in a life-threatening complication, namely incarceration of abdominal organs dislocated to the chest. It is necessary to keep this diagnosis in mind in patients with gastrointestinal or respiratory problems after a previous high-energy, blunt-force abdominal and thoracic injury, even many years after the trauma

COVID-19 disease is associated with a high risk of thromboembolic events, especially in patients with a severe course of the disease. At the same time, however, there is a risk of bleeding. These complications have a significant impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Thus, determining an optimal approach to thromboembolic disease prophylaxis can be challenging.This paper presents two cases of polymorbid female patients suffering from COVID-19. Both patients experienced retroperitoneal hemorrhage while on low molecular weight heparins in the process of deintensification of the treatment of their moderate to severe disease. Although both patients were treated surgically with a good local effect on the hemorrhage, their deterioration progressed, finally resulting in death in both the cases.Despite the proven benefit of prophylaxis of thromboembolic events using low molecular weight heparins in patients with COVID-19, care should be taken to monitor coagulation laboratory parameters in proper time intervals. The risk of a fatal course of bleeding complications is extremely high in critically ill patients and patients with multiple comorbidities.

Introduction: Perforation of the gallbladder into the hepatic parenchyma with massive bleeding into the abdominal cavity is a very rare but life-threatening complication of acute cholecystitis. Initially, the clinical finding may not differ significantly from the normal course of acute cholecystitis, but later there is a significant deterioration associated with hemorrhagic shock. Monitoring of the patient’s clinical condition as well as radiological methods have a crucial role in early and accurate diagnosis. Case report: We present the case of a 55-year-old patient who was admitted to our clinic with the clinical finding of acute cholecystitis. During the third day of hospitalization, there was a significant deterioration in his clinical condition with circulatory instability. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed massive hemoperitoneum with a large hematoma reaching into the liver parenchyma and the gallbladder bed. Based on this finding, the patient was indicated for urgent laparotomy. The perioperative finding confirmed intrahepatic perforation of the gallbladder with a stone collapsed into the hepatic parenchyma and secondary perforation of the hepatic capsule with massive bleeding into the abdominal cavity. The authors present an unusual complication of acute cholecystitis, its diagnosis and surgical solution. Conclusion: Massive intraperitoneal bleeding associated with transhepatic perforation of the gallbladder is very rare, occurring only in single-digit percent of acute cholecystitis cases. It is essential to evaluate not only the clinical and laboratory findings, but above all to complete an appropriate imaging assessment. The timing of the assessment is crucial for proper preoperative diagnosis and for reducing the risks of urgent surgical treatment.

Repopulation of decellularized tissue with cells is a very promising approach in tissue engineering, with liver tissue engineering not being an exception. Decellularized liver scaffolds can serve as an excellent 3D environment for recellularization as it maintain tissue-specific microarchitecture of ECM proteins with important spatial cues for cell adhesion, migration, growth and differentiation. Moreover, by using autologous cells the newly constructed graft should lack immunogenicity in the host organism and thus eliminate the need for immunosuppressive therapy in the post-transplant period. This review provides an overview of liver decellularization and repopulation experiments done so far while highlighting the advances as well as pin-pointing the challenges that remain to be solved.

Radical liver resection is the only method for the treatment of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM); however, only 20-30% of patients with CLMs can be radically treated. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the possible methods of palliative treatment in such patients.RFA was performed in 381 patients with CLMs between 01 Jan 2001 and 31 Dec 2018. The mean age of the patients was 65.2±8.7 years. The male to female ratio was 2:1. Open laparotomy was done in 238 (62.5%) patients and the CT-navigated transcutaneous approach was used in 143 (37.5%) patients. CLMs.

Liver cysts are present in about 5% of the population and are asymptomatic in most cases. Currently, liver cystic lesions are disco-vered arbitrarily during imaging assessments of the abdomen indicated for unrelated reasons. The final findings vary from solitary cysts to multiple lesions or eventually the polycystic liver disease which can result in liver transplantation. Most cases are congenital. In the case of a symptomatic manifestation, pressure pain in the upper right quadrant is the predominant symptom. The therapy is surgical; laparoscopic approach is preferred.A retrospective evaluation of the sample of 55 patients was conducted. The patients had been surgically treated at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital in Pilsen, from 01 Jan 2009 to 21 Dec 2017. The evaluation covered basic demographic data, the size of the dominant cyst, complications, hospitalization length, any relapse of the disease, etc. Results: In the presented period 62 surgeries of symptomatic liver cysts were performed, 55 of them by laparoscopy. The mean age of the patients was 61.7 years (32-83 years), women predominated (N=54, i.e. 87.1%). Complications occurred in 8 patients (12.9%); the most common was a bile leak. The mean length of hospitalisation was 4.5 days (2-20 days). In the follow-up period, 41 patients (66.1%) remained without any recidivism.Currently, the treatment of symptomatic liver cysts is laparoscopic, with fenestration being the standard approach. Due to potential complications centres with experience in liver surgery are prioritized.

Madelungs disease is a rare illness manifested by the uncontrollable proliferation of unencapsulated adipose tissue which accumulates symmetrically in the hypodermis in the area of the neck, shoulders, back and thighs. As part of differential diagnosis it is necessary to investigate tumours in the area of the neck, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, Cushings syndrome and rare lipomatosis.In the case report, the authors present the case of a 52-year-old male patient with a large formation on the neck, trunk and the scrotal area. A suspicion of liposarcoma was expressed based on the imaging examinations performed.Excisions of tumorous loci on several occasions were indicated for the patient. Lipomas without abnormalities were proven in all histolo-gical examinations.The diagnosis of Madelungs disease is based on the clinical findings, imaging (computed tomography CT, magnetic resonance imaging MRI) and biopsy examination. Laboratory methods tend to focus rather on associated internal diseases. Treatment is only symptomatic and consists in surgical removal of the foci. However, it is often associated with the risk of recurrence.

A clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis does not necessarily imply only inflammatory changes found upon histopathological examination. Even though appendiceal tumors are very rare, accounting for less than 4% of all gastrointestinal tumors#8218; they need to be taken into account and require the right choices regarding subsequent onco-surgical management.1036 appendectomies were performed and 38 (3.7%) rare appendiceal tumor cases were identified at the department of Surgery in Pilsen from 1 January 2008 to 1 October 2018. The following text presents the difficult nature of the initial diagnosis, current therapy and principles of follow-up care in this relatively rare group of patients.Appendiceal tumors are very rare. Depending on the histopathological type of tumor, it is necessary to choose adequate therapy and also provide proper follow up care.

Cavernous hemangiomas are benign tumours of mesodermal origin. Even though various localizations of hemangioma have been described in the literature, its occurrence in the greater omentum is very rare. Only symptomatic hemangiomas are indicated for surgical treatment. There are case reports presenting resection or surgical removal of the greater omentum with hemangioma because of mechanical syndrome, consumption coagulopathy, bleeding, infection or suspicion of a malignancy. This article presents a case report of a patient operated on for a suspicion of carcinomatosis of the greater omentum. Histological examination found hemangiomatosis in the resected greater omentum.

Both acute and chronic liver diseases are frequent and potentially lethal conditions. Development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs depends on understanding of liver injury pathogenesis and progression, which can be studied on suitable animal models. Due to the complexity of liver injury, the understanding of underlying mechanisms of liver diseases and their treatment has been limited by the lack of satisfactory animal models. SO far, a wide variety of animals has been used to mimic human liver disease, however, none of the models include all its clinical aspects seen in humans. Rodents, namely rats and mice, represent the largest group of liver disease models despite their limited resemblance to human. On the other hand, large animal models like pigs, previously used mostly in acute liver failure modeling, are now playing an important role in studying various acute and chronic liver diseases. Although significant progress has been made, the research in hepatology should continue to establish animal models anatomically and physiologically as close to human as possible to allow for translation of the experimental results to human medicine. This review presents various approaches to the study of acute and chronic liver diseases in animal models, with special emphasis on large animal models and their role in experimental surgery.

Diverticula of the small bowel are quite rare findings, frequently confirme only by necropsy. The authors describe the signs and symptoms resulting from complications of small bowel diverticula as well as the diagnostic options and treatment modalities. The paper also presents the results of treatment in the Department of Surgery at University Hospital in Pilsen.Our retrospective study involved 6 patients who were operated on due to complications of small bowel mesenteric diverticulum at the Department of Surgery at University Hospital in Pilsen between 1 January 2006 and 1 January 2016. We assessed the number of days in hospital, emesis or pathological stools (diarrhoea or bleeding), admission body temperature and abdominal clinical signs, operating time and postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. As for laboratory parameters, leukocytosis and C-reactive protein levels were evaluated.The results of our study are similar to those reported in available literature. After medical history and physical examination which are ne-cessary, laboratory methods, and less frequently also imaging methods, can be used in diagnosis. The treatment of complications of small bowel diverticular disease is only surgical. The postoperative course is burdened by comorbidities of these patients as they are very often elderly.Management of complicated small bowel diverticular disease is only surgical and consists in laparotomy with thorough lavage of the abdominal cavity and with drainage. Key words: small bowel acute abdome.

Isolated hypogastric artery aneurysm (internal iliac artery aneurysm) is a rare disease, more often associated with the occurrence of aneurysms in other localities. It typically occurs in older men. Rupture as the most serious complication is associated with high mortality, which is many times higher than the mortality in case of elective repair. Nearly half of the patients are asymptomatic and eventual symptoms tend to be very diverse. Therefore, in the diagnostic process, it is necessary to consider this disease even in case of symptoms apparently unrelated to the arterial system. Treatment is surgical or endovascular. The report presents the case of a female patient with an isolated aneurysm of the hypogastric artery treated endovascularly. Key words: aneurysm hypogastric artery - stentgraft diagnosis.

Despite current efforts at the most conservative approach possible to splenic injury, splenectomy remains a relatively common surgical procedure. Indications for splenectomy, however, are not limited to spleen injury. In senior patients in particular, non-traumatic reasons for splenectomy becomemore frequent. In addition, previous studies have indicated a relatively wide range of complications and lethality in splenectomized patients without taking into account the age aspect. Within the scope of geriatric surgery, this study deals with splenectomy in elderly patients and is based on retrospectively evaluated experience of our clinic.We studied a group of patients older than 65 years having undergone splenectomy at our institutionover the past 11 years. For each patient, the demographics, the reason for splenectomy, the mechanism of injury (if any), the degree of spleen damage, co-morbidities, the length of hospital stay, complications and lethality were evaluated. A group of patients operated on due tospleen trauma and the other group operated on for other reasons were analysed separately. Attention was paid to the reasons leading to splenectomy in the non-traumatic patients. Complications and lethality rate were evaluated in relation to the individual patient groups.269 splenectomies were performed in our clinic between 2006 and 2016. Of these, only 57 (21.2%) were carried out in patients older than 65 years (32 men and 25 women aged 6590, mean age 73.6). Splenectomy was even rarer in association with splenic trauma:it was performed in only 13 senior patients. Other causes leading to splenectomy in elderly patients were: perioperative spleen injury (17 patients), gangrene, septic activation or spontaneous rupture of the spleen (10 patients), splenectomy during an operation on another organ (8 patients), splenomegaly (5 patients) and splenic artery aneurysm (4 patients). Lethality in the entire group was 29.8%, the percentage of complications was 57.9%; however, circumstances leading to splenectomy and also potential co-morbidities played a significant role. The average length of hospitalization in the entire group was 20.3 days.Splenectomy in patients over 65 years of age is associated with a high risk of complications and very high lethality. However, senior patients after splenectomy for monotrauma and those after elective splenectomy have a very good prognosis. Key words: geriatric surgery splenic rupture - splenectomy.

Due to the high success rate of endovascular procedures, open surgical treatment of visceral arteries has become rarer worldwide. Yet, open surgical techniques remain essential for cases of chronic mesenteric ischemia as well as in other clinical instances.Drawing on their own experience and literary data, the authors summarize the indications to open surgical repair of the visceral arteries. They point out the situations in which surgical management is the method of choice even in the endovascular era. Discussing the advantages and disadvantages of various vascular reconstructions, they point out their technical challenges.Although used less frequently, open surgical repair of the visceral arteries needs to remain among the vascular surgeons tools. Not only for situations when an endovascular technique fails, but also for elective procedures in patients in whom an endovascular approach is contraindicated or not possible. Key words: mesenteric ischemia aorto-mesenteric bypass endovascular approach.

Cardiovascular disorders and their complications are the leading causes of death all over the world. The number of patients with critical limb ischemia and in risk of amputation is increasing together with increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases. In comparison with comparable population, the prognosis of patients after limb amputation is much worse. In case with no possible revascularisation, stem cell therapy offers a possible option for limb salvage.We collected relevant informations from published and accessible studies available on internet database Pubmed in period of 2007-2017. The key words stem cell and critical limb ischemia were used.Available informations show promising results in the use of stem cells in the treatment of no-option limb ischemia. Multicenter randomized clinical trials and unified recommendations and guidelines are needed to accept this method as available option for treatment. This article is presenting a short rewiev of circumstancies and conditions of this evolving method of treatment. Key words: stem cell - limb ischemia.

Corrosion casts (CCs) are used for the visualization and assessment of hollow structures. CCs with filled capillaries enable (with the help of imaging methods) to obtain data for mathematical organ perfusion modelling. As the processing is more difficult in case of organs with greater volume of the vasculature, mainly organs from small animals have been cast up to now. The aim of this study was to optimize the protocol of corrosion casting of different organs of pig. Porcine organs are relatively easily accessible and frequently used in experimental medicine.Organs from 10 healthy Prestice Black-Pied pigs (6 females, body weight 35-45 kg), were used in this study (liver, spleen, kidneys and small intestine). The organs were dissected, heparin was administered into the systemic circulation and then the vascular bed of the organs was flushed with heparinized saline either in situ (liver) or after their removal (spleen, kidney, small intestine). All handling was done under the water surface to prevent air embolization. The next step was an intraarterial (in case of the liver also intraportal) administration of Biodur E20® (Heidelberg, Germany) resin. After hardening of the resin the organ tissue was dissolved by 15% KOH and the specimen was rinsed with tap water. Voluminous casts were stored in 70% denatured alcohol, the smaller ones were lyophilized. The casts were assessed with a stereomicroscope, computed and microcomputed tomography (CT and microCT), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high-resolution digital microscope (HRDM).High-quality CCs of the porcine liver, kidneys, spleen and small intestine were created owing to the sophisticated organ harvesting, the suitable resin and casting procedure. Macroscopic clarity was improved thanks to the possibility of resin dying. Scanning by CT was performed and showed to be a suitable method for the liver cast examination. MicroCT, SEM and HRDM produced images of the most detailed structures of vascular bed. Despite the fact that SEM seems to be an irreplaceable method for CCs quality control, it seems that this modality could be partly replaced by HRDM. MicroCT enabled to obtain data about three-dimensional layout of the vascular bed and data for mathematical modelling of organ perfusion. With regard to the quality of the CCs, they could also be used to teach human anatomy.The protocol of the corrosion casting of the porcine liver, kidneys, spleen and small intestine CCs was optimized. Thanks to different imaging methods, the CCs can be used as a source of data on three-dimensional architecture of the vascular bed. These data can be used for mathematical modeling of organ perfusion which can be helpful for example for optimization of organ resections.Key words: corrosion casts microvasculature Biodur E20® domestic pig animal model.

Resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is the only radical treatment. Nevertheless, radical liver surgery for CLM is possible in about 30% of patients with 40-50% five year overall survival. The results of liver surgery depend on various factors including the extent of CLM, characteristics of the primary colorectal carcinoma, exact preoperative diagnosis and optimal timing of the surgery by a multidisciplinary team. The aim of this review is to summarize the current possibilities of liver surgery and to point out the possibilities of increasing resectability of primary non-resectable CLM.The definition of CLM resectability and the possibilities of perioperative oncological treatment in primary and potentially resectable CLM are discussed based on our long-term experience and experience published in the literature. The methods of increasing resectability of primary non-resectable CLM, liver first and simultaneous resections, liver transplantation, ultrasound-guided enhanced one-stage hepatectomy, resections of extrahepatic metastases, tumour recurrence after liver surgery, palliative thermoablation and embolization methods are also discussed. The author defines the predictive factors of liver surgery and underlines the importance of thorough follow-up of patients after liver surgery for CLM.Currently, liver surgery is the main treatment option of CLM. Although the procedure is associated with many limits, these limits can be influenced by the strategy and tactics of the diagnostic process and treatment methods as determined by the multidisciplinary team.Key words: colorectal liver metastases - diagnosis - treatment - results - predictive factors.

At most vascular surgery departments, transperitoneal approach predominates in resections of the aortic aneurysms. For difficult reconstructions of the aorta in the visceral segment, a left flank retroperitoneal approach is used most frequently.The authors retrospectively evaluate the left retroperitoneal approach in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms during a 10-year period. From the total number of 445 operated patients, the left-sided retroperitoneal approach was used in 23 cases.All operated patients survived. Average hospital stay was 10 days in the case of elective operations.Based on favorable results, the authors confirm that left-sided retroperitoneal approach is rightly considered as a choice in the technically demanding reconstruction of the aorta in the visceral segment.Key words: aortic aneurysm visceral segment of the aorta retroperitoneal approach.

Retrospective analysis of a set of patients treated for penetrating chest trauma in the Trauma Centre at University Hospital Pilsen over seventeen years.Overall, 96 injured with penetrating chest trauma were treated in the study period 2000-2016. Basic demographics, the mechanism, type, location and extent of the penetrating chest trauma, Injury Severity Score, existence of associated injuries, diagnostic procedures, timing and method of the chest trauma treatment as well as any complications and reoperations were identified in the set. Other collected information included deaths of the injured, and the cause and time of death in relation to the time of admission to the Trauma Centre.The most common mechanism of injury was attack by a stabbing weapon (54%) and the most common type of injury was pulmonary laceration (33%). The average Injury Severity Score within the set was 24 points. The most common therapeutic procedure was pleural cavity drainage (47 patients), and less than 40% of the cases required revision surgery by means of thoracotomy or sternotomy. One patient died immediately after being admitted to the Trauma Centre without a chance to apply any therapy; three other patients died during resuscitative thoracotomy or laparotomy. Post-operative complications occurred in 13 patients (13.5%) and required 14 reoperations.The diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm of penetrating chest trauma is primarily determined by the condition of the injured. Adequate drainage of the relevant pleural cavity is sufficient to treat one half of the patients; on the other hand, 40% of traumas, injuries of the heart, large vessels and gunshot wounds in particular, require urgent revision surgery by means of thoracotomy or sternotomy. If the injured patient is transported to a specialized centre for timely treatment, the prognosis of penetrating chest traumas is quite favourable.Key words: penetrating chest trauma - diagnosis - chest drainage - thoracotomy - sternotomy.

Retrospective analysis of a set of patients treated for traumatic pneumothorax in the Trauma Centre of Teaching Hospital in Pilsen over a period of five years.In total, 322 patients with traumatic pneumothorax were treated in the study period 20122016. The set included subjects whose injury fell within the definition of traumatic pneumothorax and who underwent either primary treatment or secondary transport to the Trauma Centre following basic treatment in another health facility on the day that the trauma occurred. The exclusion criterion was a pneumothorax1 cm; in addition, patients with inconclusive findings from imaging screening were not included in the set. Basic demographic information, the mechanism, type and laterality of the traumatic pneumothorax, the Injury Severity Score, associated injuries, diagnostic procedures, timing, method and outcome of the treatment, as well as any complications and reoperations, were identified in the set. Other assessed information included deaths of patients with traumatic pneumothorax, including the cause and time of death in relation to the time of admission to the Trauma Centre.The vast majority of traumatic pneumothoraces (94.1%) occurred as a result of blunt chest trauma, car accidents being the most common mechanism (about 28%). Closed pneumothoraces dominated (91.3%). Traumatic pneumothorax was part of a polytrauma in about one half of the injured. The average Injury Severity Score within the set was 20 points. Traumatic pneumothorax was diagnosed in more than three quarters of the patients based on clinical examination and computed tomography. The most common therapeutic procedure was drainage of the relevant pleural cavity (259 patients - 80.5%). Almost two thirds of surgical procedures were carried out within 1 hour of admission to the Trauma Centre. Complications associated with traumatic pneumothorax treatment were reported in 10.2% of the cases, and 33 reoperations were carried out. 15 patients (4.7%) in the set died, out of which 12 on the day of the trauma, all of them as a result of decompensated traumatic shock.Traumatic pneumothorax is a relatively frequent type of chest trauma found in up to half of the patients with chest trauma as part of a polytrauma. It usually occurs as closed pneumothorax as a result of blunt chest trauma. The diagnostic process is based on clinical examination and chest radiogram. However, ultrasound examination could be an alternative to chest radiogram in emergency situations. Computed tomography is the method of first choice for more serious traumas and inconclusive findings. To manage this condition, proper drainage of the relevant pleural cavity is sufficient in the vast majority of the patients. With timely diagnosis and adequate therapeutic intervention, the prognosis for patients with traumatic pneumothorax is favourable.Key words: traumatic pneumothorax - diagnosis - chest drainage.

Dual kidney transplantation is one of the options to utilize the so-called marginal grafts, kidneys that would be insufficient for normal single transplantation. This time-consuming surgical procedure is also burdensome for the patient.The authors present their experience from the Pilsen Transplant Center. Between 2008 and 2016, 13 dual kidney transplantations were performed. Median donor age was 66 years (34-77) and median recipient age 46 years (40-78). Mean operating time was 4 hours and 40 minutes (3-6 h). Mean surgery ward stay was 5 days (4-6). Bilateral surgical technique was used in all cases. Mean follow-up time was 63 months (18-101).From our group of DKTs (N=13), 4 patients (31%) experienced delayed graft function and we observed no primary graft non-function. Surgical complications occurred in 4 patients (31%). Currently, all 13 patients are living with good graft function, none of them being dependent on dialysis.Dual kidney transplantation is currently a viable option. The success and benefits of this surgical procedure are directly related to careful donor and recipient selection.Key words: dual kidney transplantation - marginal donor - chronic renal failure - expanded criteria donor.

Liver hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of the liver. Most are asymptomatic and are found accidentally by ultrasonography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen. Liver hemangiomas usually do not need any treatment. Nevertheless, symptomatic, giant hemangiomas can be indicated for surgery, embolization or thermoablation. The aim of this study was to define based on our own experience and on the literature when and what treatment option should be indicated in patients suffering from liver hemangioma.In the last five years 37 patients with giant hemangiomas indicated for invasive treatment were enrolled in the study. The mean size of the hemangiomas was 67 mm (45-221 mm). Multiple hemangiomas were present in 11 (29.7%) patients. Enucleation was performed in 15 (40.5%), non-anatomical liver resection in three, (8.1%), left lobectomy in one (2.7%) and exploratory laparotomy for a suspected malignant liver tumor in two (5.4%) patients where malignancy was excluded based on contrast enhanced peroperative ultrasonography. Percutaneous transarterial embolization (TAE) was performed in 16 (43.2%) patients.There was zero mortality. A hematoma in the resection line, with spontaneous regression was present in two (10.5%) patients after the surgery. The post-embolization syndrome was presented in three (16.7%) patients after TAE. Progression of the hemangioma was seen in three (28.8%), regression in six (37.5%) patients, and in seven (43.8%) patients the finding remained stable in the interval of 14 years after TAE.Conservative approach is can be applied in most liver hemangiomas, especially in small, asymptomatic lesions. Liver surgery is indicated in giant symptomatic or growing hemangiomas with the diameter over 10 cm or in non-specific lesions where the preoperative diagnosis is uncertain. We recommend enucleation as the method of choice, or non-anatomic liver resection. TAE is indicated in high-risk patients and can be repeated if the hemangioma progresses. The use of other methods such as radiofrequency ablation needs to be verified in large clinical studies.Key words: liver hemangiomas - treatment methods.

Popliteal vein aneurysm is a rare disease of the lower limb venous system. Massive pulmonary embolism may be a clinically serious presentation of the disease. The authors present surgical management of the popliteal vein aneurysm in two case reports.Key words: popliteal vein aneurysm surgical management.

Tumors of appendix vermiformis are quite rare; they represent only about 0.4% of gastrointestinal tract tumors. They can be both benign and malignant (primary or secondary). Carcinoid is the most common tumor of the appendix. The symptoms can include nothing but non-specific abdominal pain, or on the contrary they can imitate inflammatory acute abdomen. Liver metastases are associated with an advanced stage of malignancy; their surgical treatment is presented rarely in the literature. The aim of this publication is to present two cases with different results of surgical treatment of liver metastases with the primary tumor located in the appendix.The first patient is a 50 years old female who underwent right hepatectomy for liver metastases of Goblet-cell carcinoid of the appendix in 2013 and died six months later due to tumor progression. The second patient is a 58 years old male, still alive, undergoing repeated liver and lung resections and RFA from 2009 due to metastases from appendix carcinoma.Examples of dissemination of malignant appendix tumors to the liver need to be evaluated individually. In indicated cases, surgical treatment of liver metastases is justifiable.Key words: tumors of appendix liver metastases surgical treatment.

Renal artery thrombosis is a rare complication of blunt abdominal injury. It occurs most frequently in car accidents in which sudden deceleration results in multiple internal injuries. Renal artery occlusion occurs rarely as an isolated blunt trauma. This report presents a case of traumatic occlusion of the left renal artery with complete ischaemia of the left kidney in a haemodynamically stable girl who suffered multiple seat-belt injuries in a car crash. Ambiguous findings on a CT scan of the abdominal cavity indicated surgical inspection of the abdomen and, since the injury-to-surgery interval was short, an attempt at revascularisation of the left kidney was made. This was performed using laparotomy through a lateral left-side incision, as an uncommon approach to the injured organs. A seat-belt fracture of the L2/3 spine was stabilised at secondstage surgery. Key words: renal artery thrombosis, seat-belt fracture of the lumbar spine.

Incidence of cutaneous and uveal forms of malignant melanoma (MM) has increased significantly in the population in the last years. Biological behavior of both these forms of MM is different and is associated with the development of liver metastases. The prognosis of patients with MM liver metastases is generally poor. The authors seek to consider the sense and the possibilities of surgical treatment of MM liver metastases.Seven patients with liver metastases of MM were operated on in the Hepatobiliary Center of the Department of Surgery, University Hospital in Pilsen during the last ten years. Four patients suffered from the uveal and three from the cutaneous form of MM. Mean age of the patients was 58.8 years. R0 liver resection was performed in 3, and radiofrequency ablation in 1 patient. In the remaining 3 patients the operation finished by exploratory laparotomy due to tumor progression.Two patients died in the interval of 6 and 25 months after liver surgery for tumor dissemination. Two patients continue to show disease free survival, currently of 22 and 28 months.Liver metastases of MM have a very poor prognosis. Surgical treatment indicated by the multidisciplinary team provides, together with further multimodal treatment, a chance for long-term survival and its indication is justified in selected patients.Key words: malignant melanoma - liver metastases - surgical treatment.

Primary colonic lymphoma is a very rare malignant disease of the gastrointestinal tract, accounting for 14% of all malignant diseases in this location. It is classified in the group of extranodal lymphomas; its long-term asymptomatic progression makes it different from common colorectal carcinomas making its diagnosis very difficult, more often accidental. Gallstone ileus is quite an uncommon complication of cholecystolithiasis diagnosed with difficulty. Up to 50% of cases are diagnosed during surgery. The obturated location depends on the size of the stone, location of the conjunction between the biliary and gastrointestinal tracts, and also on any preexisting stenosis due to another unknown pathology.We present a case of an 86-year-old man treated for acute diverticulitis with typical clinical symptoms. Following further examination (colonoscopy, computed tomography) revealed a tumour-like infiltration in the sigmoid colon wall and a voluminous polyp was suspected according to the colonoscopy. Computed tomography described an obstruction by a biliary stone tumbling through the cholecystocolonic fistula. Subsequent biopsy supported the suspected malignant etiology. The patient underwent resection of the sigmoid colon sec. Hartmann; an infiltration was found in the subhepatic space, which corresponded to the described fistulisation between the biliary tract and the colon. A large 40 mm gallstone was found in the resected sigmoid colon over the stenosis and the bowel wall showed diffuse thickening with several polyps; final histopathological assessment confirmed malignant lymphoma of the plasmocytoma type. No serious complications occurred in the postoperative period; after healing, the patient was transferred to hematooncology care.The article describes the presence of two rare diseases - colonic lymphoma and gallstone ileus. Clearly, without the biliary stone obstruction in the preexisting tumorous stenosis in the sigmoid colon, the malignant hematooncology disease would not have been diagnosed.primary colonic lymphoma - gallstone ileus - complication of the cholecystolithiasis - extranodal lymphoma - acute diverticulitis.

Alveolar echinococcosis is a life-threatening zoonotic parasitic disease. Its incidence is rare. In some cases, the correct and timely diagnosis can be difficult.The authors present the case of a young patient with liver, diaphragm and lung involvement. The suspicion of echinococcus infection was made on the basis of medical history, clinical symptoms, and a combination of ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging tests and serological methods. The patient underwent multimodal treatment with albendazole and en-bloc resection of the liver, lung and diaphragm. The definitive diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis was determined from samples of the resected tissues using histopathology and polymerase chain reaction methods. The patient has been followed regularly and is on life-long treatment with albendazole.The precise diagnosis and multimodal therapy of alveolar echinococcosis is fundamental from the point of view of patient long-term survival.alveolar echinococcosis - diagnosis - multimodal treatment - follow-up.

Gastric cancer is a frequent malignant disease with poor prognosis. Most patients undergo only palliative treatment. Chemotherapy is another alternative but its effect differs in individual patients.This is retrospective study. We enrolled 54 patients (N=54) according to the inclusion criteria. We performed quantification of gene expression of selected genes and some microRNA from tumour tissue, which was used for the diagnosis. Statistical analysis of the data was performed.We demonstrated a predictive value of gene expression of thynidylate synthase in tumour tissue for a therapeutic effect of chemotherapy based on 5-Fluorouracil or Capecitabine. At the same time, we demonstrated a predictive value of miR181, miR150, mir192 and miR342 microRNA levels from the tumour tissue. In addition, we succeeded to demonstrate a predictive value of miR221, miR224, miR520 and miR375 microRNA levels for a therapeutic effect of chemotherapy based on platinum derivates.Thanks to the use of efficient therapy predictors, we can distinguish those patients who will profit from chemotherapy from patients where an effect cannot be expected. Thanks to personified oncology therapy the quality of life of some patients can be improved while reducing the costs of the therapy by avoiding inefficient chemotherapy. Only an early diagnosis of gastric cancer can reverse the adverse prognosis of patients with this disease.gastric cancer - microRNA - prognostic markers - predictive markers.

Kidney procurement from donors after circulatory death (DCD) is an important part of worldwide transplantation programmes. The first kidney transplantation from DCD was successfully performed in the Czech Republic in 2002.Forty four kidneys from DCD were procured in the Transplant Centre of Pilsen between 2002 and 2015. We used the technique of "in situ" procurement with the double balloon triple lumen catheter and 510 minutes of the no-touch interval. The method of pulsatile hypothermic perfusion was used to test the viability of the kidneys. Twenty eight recipients with mean age 51.1 (2673) years were transplanted. Sixteen (57.1%) kidneys were from the 2nd, 8 (28.6%) from the 3rd and 4 (14.3%) from the 4th category according to the Maastricht criteria.30-day mortality and morbidity rates were 0 and 10.7% i. e.14.3% respectively (N=4). Primary non-function was presented in 2 (7.1%), and delayed graft function in 5 (17.9%) cases. One, five and ten years of recipient and graft survival rates were 100%, 86.4% and 76.7%; and 92.9%, 69.6% and 61.9%, respectively. The long-term results are fully comparable with kidneys transplanted from donors after brain death.DCD are an important source for kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation from DCD is a logistically, economically and personally demanding method with very good long-term results.donors after circulatory death - kidney transplantation - results.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Thoracic trauma, one of the most frequent injuries in patients with multiple traumata, is found in 50 to 80% of these patients and it is crucial for the patient's prognosis. It accounts for 25% of all death from polytraumatic injuries. The aim of this retrospective study was an analysis of the occurrence of chest injuries in polytrauma patients and their surgical treatment in the Trauma Centre or Department of Surgery of the University Hospital Pilsen in a five-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with injuries meeting the definition of polytrauma and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16 were included. The demographic characteristics, mechanism of multiple trauma, ISS value and chest injury were recorded in each patient. The number of injured patients in each year of the study was noted. In the patients with chest injury, the type of injury and method of treatment were assessed. The therapy was further analysed including its timing. The number of deaths due to polytrauma involving chest injury, the cause of death and its time in relation to the patient's admission to the Trauma Centre were evaluated. RESULTS In the period 2010-14, 513 polytrauma patients were treated; of them 371 (72.3%) were men with an average age of 40.5 years. The most frequent cause of injury was a traffic accident (74%). The average ISS of the whole group was 35 points. Chest injury was diagnosed in 469 patients (91.4%) of whom only five (1.1%) had penetrating injury. Pulmonary contusion was most frequent (314 patients; 67%). A total of 212 patients with chest injury underwent surgery (45.2%); urgent surgery was performed in 143 (67.5%), acute surgery in 49 (23.1%) and delayed surgery in 63 (29.7%) patients. Chest drainage was the major surgical procedure used in the whole group. Of 61 patients who died, 52 had chest injury. In this subgroup the most frequent cause of death was decompensated traumatic shock (26 patients; 50%). In the whole group, 32 polytrauma patients died within 24 hours of injury (61.5%). CONCLUSIONS Chest injury, almost always blunt, is often diagnosed in polytrauma patients. A prevalent cause of multiple trauma is a traffic accident. Chest injury most frequently involves pulmonary contusion. Nearly half of chest injuries require surgery, of which 2/3 are urgent procedures. The procedure most frequently performed in polytrauma patients with chest injury is chest drainage and this is also a sufficient procedure in 75% of surgically treated patients.polytrauma, chest injury, pulmonary contusion, surgical treatment, chest drainage.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is related with higher age and poses a serious threat to the patient´s life. Aneurysms larger than 5.5 cm in diameter are indicated for open or endovascular repair. Giant aneurysms are rarely encountered due to a high risk of rupture. We present a case report of such a giang aneurysm and its open repair.abnominal aortic aneurysm - iliac artery aneurysm - open repair - complications.

From the clinical point of view, rectal cancer and colon cancer are clearly different nosological units in their progress and treatment. The aim of this study was to analyse and clarify the differences between the behaviour of liver metastases from colon and rectal cancer. The study of these factors is important for determining an accurate prognosis and indication of the most effective surgical therapy and oncologic treatment of colon and rectal cancer as a systemic disease.223 patients with metastatic disease of colorectal carcinoma operated at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital in Pilsen between January 1, 2006 and January 31, 2012 were included in our study. The group of patients comprised 145 men (65%) and 117 women (35%). 275 operations were performed. Resection was done in 177 patients and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the total of 98 cases. Our sample was divided into 3 categories according to the location of the primary tumor to C (colon), comprising 58 patients, S (c. sigmoideum) in 61 patients, and R (rectum), comprising 101 patients. Significance analysis of the studied factors (age, gender, staging [TNM classification], grading, presence of mucinous carcinoma, type of operation) was performed using ANOVA test. Overall survival (OS), disease-free interval (DFI) or no evidence of disease (NED) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves, which were compared with the log-rank and Wilcoxon tests.As regards the comparison of primary origin of colorectal metastases in liver regardless of their treatment (resection and RFA), our study indicated that rectal liver metastases showed a significantly earlier recurrence than colon liver metastases (shorter NED/DFI). Among other factors, a locally advanced finding, further R2 resection of liver metastases and positivity of lymph node metastases were statistically significant for the prognosis of an early recurrence of the primary colon and sigmoid tumor. Furthermore, we proved that in patients with primary rectal carcinoma, DFI (after the resection of liver metastases) was not influenced by the positivity of lymph node metastases of primary tumor or locally advanced primary tumor. The other factors studied (time from diagnosis of organ metastases to primary operation, grading, sex or age) were not shown to be statistically significant for the prognosis of OS and DFI (colorectal cancer in total).As proven by our study, rectal cancer and colon cancer are two different nosological units with specific prognostic factors with respect to their liver metastases. These differences have not been fully understood yet and require further exploration and classification based not only on histopathological, immunohistochemical and clinical factors, but also on molecular biological parameters.colon carcinoma metastases rectal carcinoma metastases prognostic factors overall survival - liver metastases.

Biliary ileus represents only 14% of mechanical obstructions of the gastrointestinal tract. However, the rate of non-strangulated small bowel obstructions reaches as much as 25% in patients over 65 years of age. Usually, a pressure necrosis is created by a large gallstone that passes through the developed biliodigestive fistula, subsequently obturating the gastrointestinal tract.35 patients underwent a surgical procedure at the Department of Surgery, Teaching Hospital Pilsen for biliary ileus from January 1, 2000 to January 31, 2015. Mean age was 79 years (median 78 years; min. 58 years; max. 92 years). Aerobilia was visible in abdominal X-ray scans in 7 cases (26%) of 27 acquired images. Preoperatively, colonoscopy was done 2 times and esophagogastroduodenoscopy 9 times. Regarding surgical procedures, enterolithotomy was done in 21 cases, extraction of the gallstone from gastrotomy was done 3 times, small bowel resection 7 times, Hartmann resection 1 time, resection of ileoascendentoanastomosis 1 time, and extraction of the gallstone from duodenotomy with duodenojejunoanastomosis and cholecystectomy was done in 1 case. Ileotransversoanastomosis was performed in 1 case. Postoperative 30-day mortality was 14.3%. Postoperative morbidity according Clavien-Dindo was 22.8% for grade 1, 5.7% for grade 2, 11.5% for grade 3, and 11.5% for grade 4. A recurrence was observed in 8.8%. Primary treatment of the fistula and cholecystectomy were done in 1 case.The indication of primary biliodigestive fistula treatment always depends on the general condition of the patient and on the local finding in the gallbladder area. Residual fistula increases the risk of reccurence, but primary treatment is associated with higher mortality. It is also important to duly revise the entire bowel to avoid an early reccurence due to multiple gallstones.biliary ileus diagnosis treatment.

Castleman disease is rare diagnosis. It was first mentioned in literature in 1954 by doctor Castleman and Lown. It is rare sickness which primary affects lymfatic nodes. There are four histo-morfologic subtypes and two clinic manifestations (uni and mulicentric). Comon clinical picture is simple lymfadenopathy of neck, medistinal a retroperitonal lymfatic nodes. Signs of this disease are heterogenic and depend on histological subtype. Also prognosis depends on type of illness. It should take place as benign diagnosis (unicentric form) but also can be potencionally malignant form which shlould exacerbate to malignant lymfoproliferation (multicentric form). Authors present the case of 29 years old men with clinical manifestation (jundice, intermitent bowel obstruction) of lagre retroperitoneal tumor in subhepatal localization. The treatment was radical surgical extirpation, surgery was without complications. Definitive histological diagnosis was confirmed as hyaline-vascular type of Castleman disease. Because the patient´s clinical form was multicentric, he is now undergoing adjuvant oncological treatment.Castleman disease reproperitoneal tumor.

The authors present the case of a 57-year-old woman with a very rare extragenital malignant retroperitoneal Müllerian carcinosarcoma invading the inferior vena cava. Tumor resection with partial resection of the vena cava wall and resection of metastases in the pelvic area is described. The authors further discuss diagnostic options of metastases of this tumour and the recommended adjuvant chemotherapy.extragenital Müllerian carcinosarcoma malignant mixed Müllerian tumour - diagnosis therapy.

The authors present two case reports to demonstrate wide differential diagnosis of granulomatous disorders of the hepatobiliary tract. Isolated granulomatous disorders are very rare in this area. Differantial diagnosis includes infectious and systemic diseases or chemical irritation. Granulomas often immitate malignant tumors and the surgeon could be first to diagnose this disease during liver resection or cholecystectomy.granulomatous inflammation hepatic granuloma non-specific inflammation liver resection cholecystectomy.

Choledochal cyst is a rare disease with a considerably higher incidence found in the Asian population. Although its etiology is not completely known, the disease is believed to be associated with anomalies in the anatomy of the biliary tract. While being a benign unit, it is considered as a precancerosis with the risk of conversion to the biliary tract carcinoma. Radical surgical removal with biliary tract reconstruction is the only curative solution. The authors present the case report of a patient with choledochal cyst type I according to Todani

In general, pain in the lower right abdomen is the most frequent reason for hospital surgical admissions, acute appendicitis representing the most common cause of operation for acute abdomen. Timely appendectomy remains the only treatment in the early stages of inflammation and is usually uncomplicated, requiring only a short hospital stay. A differential diagnostic analysis necessitates a search for other, particularly long-term symptoms that might be driven to the background in cases of acute exacerbation.The case report presents a 38-year-old female patient who was admitted for lower right abdominal pain. Clinical examination and a blood test both suggested typical acute uncomplicated appendicitis, and therefore the patient underwent appendectomy. Haemorrhagic peritoneal fluid and nodularity of the appendix not typical for appendicitis was found. Oedema of the terminal ileum and a right adnexal tumour were a surprising finding. A more extensive surgical procedure involving ileocaecal resection and right-side adnexectomy was finally performed with regard to the intraoperative finding. The definitive diagnosis of appendiceal endometriosis, endometrial mass in the terminal intestine and ovarian endometriosis was established by histological evaluation. Long-term follow-up revealed microadenocarcinoma of cervix uteri.It is generally very difficult to confirm appendiceal endometriosis before operation, and revealing primary appendiceal endometriosis is virtually impossible. It is advisable to consider endometriosis in fertile women with chronic abdominal pain of unclear aetiology and gynaecological symptoms in their personal history. The best diagnostic and therapeutic method, respectively, is laparoscopy enabling exploration of the entire peritoneal cavity including the minor pelvis, and performing appendectomy as well as excision of suspicious endometrial lesions. The definitive diagnosis is usually established by histopathological evaluation. Gynaecological assessment and follow-up is highly recommended after surgery.

The occurrence of swallowed foreign bodies in the digestive system is a common problem in children with the highest incidence in children aged six months to five years. Most swallowed objects leave the human body per vias naturales while 10-20% of swallowed foreign bodies need to be removed with an endoscope. Serious and life-threatening situations are caused by the ingestion of foreign bodies in about 1% of all cases.The authors present a case of a two-year-old girl diagnosed with acute abdomen for which she was operated on. A small bowel volvulus and several intestinal fistulas were found intraoperatively. The cause of this finding was the ingestion of magnetic balls and a swallowed metal body drawn to them by magnetic force.If more than one magnetic body is ingested, it is necessary to admit the patient to hospital and to remove these foreign bodies using an endoscope. The position of the magnets which is not changing in a location inaccessible for an endoscope during 2448 hours is an indication for urgent operation.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare tumour with an incidence of 0.53 cases per million inhabitants. Only about 20% of cases occur in the peritoneum. The authors use the case report of a male patient with malignant mesothelioma occurring in the peritoneal cavity to demonstrate the difficulty of preoperative diagnosis: preoperative examinations made the authors consider a primary liver tumour and only definitive histological examination revealed the diagnosis. The discussion deals with the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease and underlines the unique role of surgical therapy in its management.

The incidence of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) in the fourth stage of colorectal carcinoma is 80%, liver parenchyma only being impaired in 40% of patients. Liver resection is the "gold standard" of treatment with long-term overall survival. However, only 20-25% of CLM are primarily resectable. Many staged procedures exist for increasing secondary CLM resectability - modern oncologic therapy, portal vein embolization, stem cells application, ALPPS (associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy), sequential liver procedures, combined resections with thermoablation procedures. Perioperative oncological therapy in primary resectable CLM is currently recommended. The patients prognosis depends on the biological CLM activity, which is evaluated according to several serum or histopathological markers. Resectable extrahepatic metastases are no more a contraindication for liver resection. One-stage resection of primary tumour and CLM is recommended in cases where one procedure is simple and short. Liver first procedure can be used in patients with the risk of non-resectability of advanced CLM after the treatment of primary colorectal cancer. Up to 55-60% of patients will develop recurrent CLM which are resectable in many cases, or thermoablation methods can be used.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is a disease of unknown etiology which manifests itself in hypercirculation and hypertension in the portal venous system and splenomegaly with hypersplenism. METHODS: We describe a case of IPH in a young sportsman with the characteristic clinical, sonographic, and computed-tomography picture. Open splenectomy was performed. RESULTS: Preoperative examination revealed an interesting elevation of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and vasoadhesive molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the serum. Postoperative course was without complications. One year after operation the patient is fine without any symptomatology of IPH. CONCLUSIONS: ET-1 and VCAM-1 will probably have a significant influence on the development of IPH. ET-1 causes hypercirculation and hypertension in the portal venous system, and VCAM-1 causes adhesion of lymphocytes to the endothelium of the portal tracts and their migration into the wall, mainly in a presinusoidal way, followed by fibrotization of the venous wall. Splenectomy was performed in this case, after which the clinical symptomatology of IPH disappeared.

Carotid body tumours are rare, usually benign tumours. The dangerous nature of carotid body tumours is due to their hypervascularization and the intimate relationship to cervical arteries and cranial nerves. In a case report, the authors document that misdiagnosis and efforts to remove or obtain a biopsy of the tumour outside vascular centres can be more dangerous for the patient than the nature of the tumour itself.

Renal carcinoma (RC) is present in 0.1-3% of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). There are several options for surgical solution as regards the type and timing of the procedure. The authors discuss the simultaneous AAA resection and radical nephrectomy as a treatment option.1168 patients with AAA including 19 (1.6%) with asymptomatic AAA (diameter50mm) and RC (average diameter 74.3 mm) indicated for radical nephrectomy were operated on in the last 20 years (between 5/1994 and 5/2014). The average age of the patients was 72.8 years (5585). Pre-operatively, sixteen patients were classified as ASA II, three as ASA III. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in 18 and bilateral nephrectomy in one patient. One-stage AAA resection (1x endovascular aneurysm repair) with nephrectomy was performed in all patients.Two patients with ASA III classification died within 30 days postoperatively due to acute myocardial infarction and multiorgan failure. In the other patients, the simultaneous procedure was without any complications. Four patients died within two years after the operation due to generalized RC, the others have survived in the interval of one and twelve years after the procedure.Simultaneous procedure does not represent increased operation load for patients with good health status. Nevertheless, the type of procedure should be optimised for each individual patient with regard to his or her general health status, life expectancy, disease symptomatology, the diameter of the RC and the anatomical conditions of AAA.

Various types of neurogenous tumours occur in the retroperitoneum. Hormonally inactive tumours are often asymptomatic and their diagnosis is mostly accidental. Authors are presenting their recent experience with three cases. They discuss diagnostic options and the therapy of retroperitoneal schwannoma, ganglioneuroma and paraganglioma.