Background: The groin hernia is a significant social and economic problem of our times. The pathogenesis of the disease is not clear. The metalloproteinases (MMP) are the group of proteolytic enzymes responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and the basic membrane of blood vessels. The aims of our study were: (1) to estimate the MMP-2 levels in the blood and tissues of patients with a groin hernia; (2) to answer the question of whether changes in MMP-2 activity correlate with the occurrence of inguinal hernias. Method: The study was performed on a group of 90 male patients suffering from inguinal hernias, aged 28–70 years (mean: 49 years). The control group was made up of 10 healthy (free from hernia) males, aged 30–68 years (mean: 46 years). Results: We noticed increased levels of MMP-2 in patients with all types of hernia and across all age groups. The MMP-2 mean serum levels were statistically higher in patients with a groin hernia when compared to the control group. The highest blood levels of MMP-2 were observed in young men with a direct hernia. Conclusions: This study confirmed the important role of MMP-2 in the pathogenesis of inguinal hernia. The increased activity may lead to dysfunctions in collagen fiber, which is responsible for forming fascial structures, and as a result weaken their durability.

Spontaneous, idiopathic urinary bladder rupture is a very rare disease entity, which may face the problem of proper preoperative diagnosis. In many cases the medical history, physical examination, and additional tests raise false suspicion of gastrointestinal perforation. The study presented a case of a female patient with spontaneous urinary bladder perforation, paying particular attention to the diagnostic difficulties associated with the above-mentioned pathology. The aim of the study was to analyse the presence of symptoms and imaging and laboratory results observed in case of spontaneous urinary bladder rupture, as well as differentiate the above-mentioned pathology with gastrointestinal perforation. Whenever diagnosing a patient with acute peritonitis symptoms, in whom the predominating symptoms include sudden abdominal pain, peritoneal cavity fluid presence, hematuria, oliguria, and coexisting increased urea, creatinine, and potassium levels, one should consider the possibility of urinary bladder rupture.

the aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of one-day thyroid surgery based on the assessment of the incidence of early postoperative complications. Material and methods. The study comprised 726 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy during the period between January, 2012 and February, 2013. The study considered the three most common thyroidectomy complications. Results. In the group of 726 patients, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was observed in 22 cases, accounting for 3.07% of all patients. Postoperative bleeding was observed in 12 cases (1.65%). In 8 cases, bleeding occurred during the first 8 hours after surgery, while in the remaining four cases-9, 12, 18, and 26 hours after surgery. The study group was divided into three subgroups, in which the concentrations of calcium and parathyroid hormone, 6 hours and 20 hours after surgery, were determined. In the first group (223 patients), only the parathyroid hormone level was determined. The decreased PTH level was associated with the appearance of tetany symptoms in 15% of cases. Amongst patients in whom the parathyroid hormone level was normal, tetany symptoms were observed in 0.5% of cases. In the second group (256 patients), only the serum calcium level was determined. Amongst patients with normal serum calcium levels, 1% of cases presented with tetany symptoms. In patients where the serum calcium level was reduced, tetany symptoms appeared in 35% of cases. In the third group (247 patients), both serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were determined. In the group of patients with normal, both serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels, tetany symptoms were not observed. Amongst patients with normal serum calcium levels and decreased PTH levels on the day of surgery, tetany symptoms were observed in 25% of cases, while during the first postoperative day-37% of cases. Conclusion. One-day thyroid surgery, due to the appearance of complications cannot be regarded as a completely safe procedure.