Ileal Schwannoma: A Rare Cause of Pelvic Mass.

The incidence of small bowel schwannomas is extremely low. In the current literature, we found just a few reported small intestine schwannomas that were located in the duodenum, jejunum, or ileum. This study reports a surprising finding of a relatively large size ileal schwannoma in a patient whose preoperative magnetic resonance imaging described a tumour in the lesser pelvis probably derived from the right adnexa. Pfannenstiel incision was made by the gynaecology team, which found a large mass lesion arising from the small intestine and occupying nearly the entire lesser pelvis. The general surgeon was invited, and pathology was successfully managed by segmental resection of the small bowel with primary end-to-end anastomosis. The histopathology study reported a submucosal tumour composed of S-100 protein-positive spindle cells, and the diagnosis of ileal schwannoma was made. The possibility of intestinal neoplasms, including schwannomas, might be contemplated in the differential diagnosis of any pelvic mass lesions. A detailed histology study and immunohistochemical stain are required for the final diagnosis of intestinal schwannomas and to rule out malignant changes, which are extremely important for the further management of patients. To the best knowledge, our case is one of the biggest intestinal schwannomas reported in the current literature.

Chronic pain in post-COVID syndrome.

Our body senses two types of pain, acute and chronic. Acute pain lasts for a short time. It occurs when our body wants to protect us from a dangerous situation. This way, our nerves are telling us that something is wrong. But if some time passes since our injury, treatment or surgery and the pain or discomfort persists, we are speaking of chronic pain. It is often difficult to determine its intensity or even prove its existence. The discomfort and pain are not relieved and physical pain may be accompanied by mental issues. At present, during the COVID-19 pandemic, chronic pain is becoming more prominent, and it is also associated with the post-COVID syndrome. In their efforts to help patients suffering from COVID-19, many new treatment protocols have been prepared and various antiviral drugs and other potentially useful drugs have been used (often without prior approval or testing). Basically, it was a kind of 'experimental' treatment. At present, thanks to quick therapy decisions and as part of COVID-19 prevention, we have succeeded in stabilising the situation all over the world. A relatively fast development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 with a view to achieve collective immunity has greatly contributed to this. On the other hand, 'quick decisions' have contributed to other significant issues which we are beginning to deal with now, i.e, in the effort to defeat the virus, many experts regarded the adverse effects of the medications used to be of secondary importance. In the article we would like to point out the other side of the 'successful' treatment of COVID-19, namely the possible iatrogenic conditions which significantly contribute to the post-COVID­19 syndrome and chronic pain. The importance of preventive measures over uncertain result of COVID-19 treatment is emphasised (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 50). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: iatrogenic conditions; chronic pain; co-morbidity; pain syndrome; pandemic; post-COVID­19 syndrome.

Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis - unusual management of unusual complication of Whipple procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatoduodenectomy is an extensive procedure carrying risk of a number of postoperative complications. Of these the most common are surgical site infections (SSI), bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, and anastomotic leakage. However, the most serious complications are ones, that are rare, clinically hardly diagnosed, and if untreated, leading to the death of a patient. Among the latter complications is thrombosis of superior mesenteric vein. Its clinical signs are unspecific and diagnostics complicated. Treatment requires aggressive approach. If this is absent, intestinal necrosis with septic state, Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) and Multiple Organ Failure (MOF) lead to a death of a patient. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Authors present a case of a patient after pancreatoduodenectomy, complicated by the thrombosis of superior mesenteric vein. Patient was managed by resection of the necrotic bowel, venous decompression by venous bypass from superior mesenteric vein to the right ovarian vein, and open abdomen with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Patient suffered severe abdominal sepsis with need for intensive organ support. Abdomen was definitely closed on fourth NPWT redress. Patient healed without any further complications, is well and was released to the ambulatory setting. DISCUSSION: Superior mesenteric vein (VMS) thrombosis is a rare complication. It diagnosis requires high level of vigilance and once diagnosed, aggressive therapy is essential. Two goals of surgical treatment exist: resection of the necrotic bowel and facilitation of the blood outflow. CONCLUSION: Mesenteroovarian anastomosis is one of the options in treatment of thrombosis of VMS if thrombectomy is not feasible.

Reconstruction option of abdominal wounds with large tissue defects.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall defects result from trauma, abdominal wall tumors, necrotizing infections or complications of previous abdominal surgeries. Apart from cosmetics, abdominal wall defects have strong negative functional impact on the patients.Many different techniques exist for abdominal wall repair. Most problematic and troublesome are defects, where major part of abdominal wall had to be resected and tissue for transfer or reconstruction is absent. CASE PRESENTATION: Authors of the article present operative technique, in which reconstruction of abdominal wall was managed by composite polypropylene mesh with absorbable collagen film, creation of granulation tissue with use of NPWT (negative pressure wound therapy), and subsequent split skin grafting.Three patients with massive abdominal wall defect were successfully managed and abdominal wall reconstruction was performed by mentioned technique. Functional and cosmetic effect is acceptable and patients have good postoperative quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with giant abdominal defects can benefit from described technique. It serves as the only option, with which abdominal wall is fully reconstructed without need for the secondary intervention.