Introduction: Incisional hernias are prevalent complications, with significant recurrence rates and associated surgical wound complications. Giant hernias, classified by the European Hernia Society (EHS) as exceeding 10 cm (width dimension), pose a challenge due to the “loss of domain” effect. Component separation techniques (CST), including anterior component separation (ACS) and transversus abdominis release (TAR), are established interventions but have drawbacks related to the irreversible alteration of abdominal wall anatomy and associated risks. An alternative approach involves the preoperative application of Botulinum Toxin A (BTA) to reduce lateral abdominal muscle tension, facilitating hernial defect closure.

Aim: The aim was to assess the impact of BTA on reducing the necessity for CST, the occurrence of surgical site complications, and the need for further interventions.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted across two reference centers specializing in hernia treatment in Poland and Ukraine. The study compared outcomes between patients undergoing elective abdominal wall reconstruction surgery for giant hernias, specifically looking at the requirement for CST following preoperative BTA application. Patients were divided into two groups – those who received BTA injections 3–4 weeks prior to surgery (BOTOX group) and those who did not (NON-BOTOX group).

Results: The study found that in the BOTOX group, a significantly lower proportion of patients required CST compared to the NON-BOTOX group (46 vs 84%, P-value = 0.000124). Additionally, the BOTOX group experienced fewer postoperative complications, suggesting a beneficial effect of BTA in simplifying surgical procedures and enhancing patient outcomes.

Conclusions: The findings support the use of preoperative BTA injections as a valuable adjunct in the management of giant abdominal hernias. This approach not only facilitates fascial closure without the need for extensive CST but also potentially reduces perioperative trauma and postoperative complications. Preoperative BTA injections significantly reduce the need for CST in giant incisional abdominal hernia repairs, offering a less invasive and more effective approach to fascial closure. The most important role of BTA is "downstaging" the hernia before surgery. This study highlights the importance of considering BTA injections in preoperative protocols, advocating for broader acceptance and reimbursement to improve surgical outcomes and patient care in hernia surgery.

In the context of developing a system of psychological support based on chaplaincy service, particular attention must be paid to the socio-demographic and religious characteristics of both chaplains and recipients of their services.

Objective. To analyze similarities and differences between chaplains and users of psychological support, with the aim of improving interaction formats and models of care delivery.

Methods. A survey was conducted among both groups, followed by quantitative and qualitative analysis of variables such as gender, age, religious identity, preferred format of support provision/receipt, resource needs, and tolerance toward differences.

Results. The majority of chaplains were male (80%) aged 26–65, while most service users were female (78%) aged 35–45. Both groups predominantly identified as Christians—87% and 92% respectively, mainly of the Orthodox tradition. Support formats were flexible: 88% of chaplains and 78% of users favored hybrid formats; readiness for crisis intervention was high (81% and 61%). Educational resources were in high demand: 98% of chaplains and 85% of users valued access to libraries of videos, books, and articles; 94% and 92%, respectively, indicated interest in thematic updates. Most respondents did not consider religious, gender, or regional alignment critical for interaction (93–95%).

Conclusions. The findings indicate strong sociocultural affinity between chaplains and service users, high tolerance toward diversity, a pronounced need for educational resources, and substantial readiness to provide or receive urgent psychological support. These features should inform the development of effective strategies for chaplaincy-based mental health care.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a serious clinical and social issue. The questionnaire-based study was performed to assess the management of VVC in Lviv, Ukraine. Totally 408 women were enrolled in the survey. The lifetime prevalence of VVC was high (72.6 %). 35.8 % of women had VVC during the last year with the predominance of 1 episode (72.6 %). The most common symptoms were vaginal itching and cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, affecting 89.7 % and 71.7 % of women with VVC, respectively. Stress (57.2 %) was the main self-reported factor associated with the VVC, followed by antibiotic therapy (49.7 %). Only 51.0 % of women with VVC sought a doctor’s help, 35.2 % of women reported about self-treatment. The management of VVC included usage of medicines and nonmedicinal interventions. Oral antifungals and vaginal medicines prevailed (86.2 % and 80.7 % of woman with VVC used them, respectively). The management of VVC was associated with inappropriate interventions, such as the treatment of an asymptomatic sexual partner (22.8 %), vaginal douching (11.0 %), taking oral antifungals with only local effectiveness for gastrointestinal fungal infections (natamycin and nystatin, 15.2 % vs 14.8 % respectively), using of vaginal drugs with none antifungal activity (5.1 %), and incorrect duration of the treatment (29.1 %). Rural residence (p = 0.000) and the absence of higher education (p = 0.001) significantly contribute to the inappropriate management of VVC. The management of VVC is often associated with self-treatment and different inappropriate interventions. Educational programs are required to improve the management of VVC. Pharmacists may significantly contribute to raising patients’ awareness and improving the management of VVC, especially in rural areas.

Introduction. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe infection associated with substantial tissue loss and a high risk of wound surface contamination. Standard xenodermal implants used for temporary coverage of postoperative defects frequently experience recurrent bacterial colonization.
Objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of lyophilized xenodermal implants saturated with silver nanoparticles in improving the preparation of postoperative wounds for autografting in patients with NF.
Materials and Methods. The study involved 20 patients with wounds following NF debridement. Patients were divided into two groups: the experimental group received lyophilized xenodermal implants saturated with silver nanoparticles, while the control group received standard xenodermal implants. Evaluations included granulation tissue formation speed suitable for autografting, incidence of secondary infections, and xenodermal implant adhesion duration.
Results. The mean time for granulation tissue formation suitable for grafting in the experimental group was 9.2 ± 0.7 days compared to 14.5 ± 1.1 days in the control group (p<0.05). No secondary infections occurred in the experimental group, whereas the control group had 3 cases. The adhesion duration of xenodermal implants was significantly longer in the experimental group (4.5±0.4 days versus 2.8±0.25 days, p<0.05).
Conclusions. Using xenodermal implants saturated with silver nanoparticles facilitates faster granulation tissue formation, reduces bacterial complication risk, and enhances preparation outcomes for postoperative wound closure

This article focuses on the evaluation of the effectiveness of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin (A-PRF) technology in enhancing the healing process following the extraction of lower third molars.

The study was conducted on 52 patients who underwent surgical removal of these molars for orthodontic indications. This patient sample was divided into two distinct groups to specifically compare healing outcomes influenced by differing post-extraction treatments. Clinical assessment of post-extraction defect healing was performed on days 3, 5, 7, and 10 after removal, taking into account the patient's subjective assessment of their condition, the presence of oedema, hyperaemia, inflammatory contracture, etc. The use of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin (A-PRF) technology in the surgical extraction of lower third molars offers significant advantages in preventing postoperative complications and promoting enhanced healing of the extraction site.