Virtual Reality as a method to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric patients - a review

Introduction and purpose  The role of virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being discussed not only in the context of entertainment, but also in the medical field. Recently, there has been a growing number of literature analyzing its effect on reducing pain and anxiety, which are common problems of pediatric patients. These feelings can negatively affect their psyche, health recovery, but also doctor-patient cooperation and avoidance of treatment in the future.The purpose of this study is to analyze and summarize the potential of using virtual reality to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric patients. Material and methods  A literature review of 2015-2022 based on PubMed and Google Scholar. Results  The literature reviewed shows the extensive use of virtual reality in the treatment of pain and anxiety in pediatric patients. VR is a good method for reducing perioperative anxiety, pain during wound care and pain as well as anxiety in invasive procedures. This method may not be beneficial in the treatment of acute pain and its role is uncertain during dental treatment. Disadvantages of this technique include the need for financial investment in equipment and trained staff. Patients may experience dizziness and motion sickness during its use. Another disadvantage is also that it does not provide a long-term analgesic effect. Conclusion There appears to be merit in using this technology as an adjunctive method to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric patients. There is also a need for further research in this area and the development of appropriate therapeutic intervention for a specific age group and procedure in a well-defined process by a trained team

Mastectomy – literature review

The dominant approach in the fight against breast cancer is mastectomy. Surgical operations include diagnostic, therapeutic, palliative and reconstructive procedures. The decision as to the procedure depends on the type, location and advancement of the tumor, as well as on the preferences of the patients, the skills of the operator and the availability of methods at a given centre. It is worth noting that with the increasing number of patients, there have also been significant advances in treatment, the surgical techniques used, and consequently the quality of life index has also increased. Nowadays, clinicians' attention is focused not only on the elimination of the cancer, but also on the best possible cosmetic effect of the treatment. In breast cancer, the approach to the patient should be multidisciplinary, because mastectomy and its complications affect the patient's appearance after surgery, as well as psychological aspects, changing self-perception and pain complaints

Modern methods of treating neurological diseases

Aim of the article The aim of the article is to summarize the current state of knowledge about brain-computer interfaces (BCI), i.e. systems that allow you to control electronic devices by recording the activity of nerve cells. Materials and methods The article is based on a literature review in the PubMed database. Conclusions Disorders of the nervous system pose a great therapeutic challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of the nervous tissue. In the future, BCI may become an opportunity to improve the quality of life of patients with neurological diseases. Thanks to technological progress and increasing abilities in the field of physiology of neurons, the possibilities of using this system are increasing. Clinical trials have been performed on patients with various types of neurological deficits, including movement disorders and aphasia. Brain-computer interfaces can also help with vision loss, epilepsy, and many other condition

Invasive treatment of selected psychiatric diseases

Mental disorders are a significant clinical problem due to the frequent ineffectiveness of their treatment. This is due to the not fully understood etiopathogenesis of these diseases. Often, the mechanism of action of a given therapy is not known and it is not clear why treatments that work in some patients may not produce any clinical improvement in others. The currently used pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy often turn out to be insufficient, which prompts the search for other methods of therapy, including neurosurgical methods. The currently carried out attempts at neurosurgical treatment of mental disorders differ greatly in terms of precision and surgical technique from the controversial procedures from the middle of the last century. Ablative methods and deep brain stimulation, which has been increasingly used in recent years

Sweet Syndrome - A Review of Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Treatment

Sweet syndrome is a rare, inflammatory, non-infectious skin disorder characterized by an acute onset of skin leasions such as painful, erythematous plaques, nodules and papules, most frequently located on the upper extremities, trunk, neck and face. Generally, dermatological symptoms are accompanied by fever, headaches, arthralgia and leukocytosis. The syndrome belongs to the group of febrile neutrophilic dermatoses. Skin biopsy reveals a diffuse, neutrophilic infiltrate in the upper dermis. Sweet syndrome presents in three clinical subtypes: classical, malignancy-associated and drug-induced. The etiology of this disease still remains unclear, but it seems that can be associated with dysfunction of the immune system, genetic predispostion and neoplastic process. Sweet syndrome has been reported in relation to pregnancy, drug administration, vaccinaton and infection of the respiratory or digestive system. Systemic glucocorticosteroids still remain the first line treatment for most patients, nevertheless new therapeutic options against reccurent Sweet syndrome have been investigated

Evaluation of the results of perioperative surgical robots in urology - literature review

Introduction: Operations with the use of surgical robots have become an acceptable method of treating urological complaints. The question remains what the perioperative results look like compared to other methods, such as classical surgery or laparoscopy. The aim of the study is to summarize the current state of knowledge about the use of surgical robots in urology, provide information on the types of procedures that can be performed with their help, safety and results Materials and methods: Literature review in databases: [Pubmed; science direct; google scholar]; searched using the words: [robotic surgery, surgical robots, BPH, robot, cystectomy, nephrectomy, retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, prostatectomy,]. Publications from 2016 to 2023 were reviewed. Results: Data from multiple publications were collected. Promising perioperative results of surgical robots have been shown. Blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complication rate are lower compared to other methods. Positive surgical margins occur with a similar frequency. The safety of performing operations with the use of surgical robots in patients after previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been proven. The duration of the operation is usually longer compared to other methods. Conclusions: Performing surgery with the use of surgical robots is a promising method in urology. In many cases, perioperative outcomes are better. However, there is a lack of good quality studies conducted over a long period of time

Management of a patient with frostbite

Introduction and purpose Frostbite is a serious injury caused by cold, which is an inseparable element of human contact with nature. It can cause tissue damage and loss of function if not properly treated. It treatment consists of several stages that require the involvement of many people. The purpose of the article is to summarize information on epidemiology, pathophysiology, prehospital and hospital procedures and to draw attention to the complexity of patient care. Materials and methods A literature review based on PubMed and Google Scholar using the following keywords: frostbite, cold injury. Description of the state of knowledge: The literature review shows the breadth of the issue. The effectiveness of therapy depends on: knowledge of pathophysiology and risk factors, early diagnosis, discontinuation of exposure to cold, effective analgesic treatment, fluid therapy, transport of the victim to the appropriate center, rapid warming of frozen tissues, imaging diagnostics, initiation of thrombolytic treatment and, if necessary, surgery. It is also important to remember about long-term complications that worsen the quality of life of patients, such as chronic pain, hyperaesthesia or impairment or loss of limb functionality. Conclusions Frostbite is a relatively rare problem, but especially in winter, every medic will have to deal with it sooner or later. Considering the above information, the management of a patient with frostbite is a demanding and long-term process in which the cooperation and involvement of many medics is important, so it is worth having knowledge about them

Treatment of depression with a combination of mirtazapine and venlafaxine - a literature review

Clinical depression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by symptoms such as loss of interest and pleasure from typically enjoyable activities (anhedonia), pervasive low mood, and diminished energy leading to excessive fatigue and lower activity which have been present in a patient for at least two weeks. Available therapies consist primarily of pharmacological intervention. Indeed, some groups of medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCA’s and tetracyclic antidepressants have been used to treat depression for decades, frequently in combinations. An example of such a combination is “California Rocket Fuel” composed of venlafaxine and mirtazapine   Objective:   To review the current literature on the efficacy of the combination of venlafaxine and mirtazapine in treating clinical depression both in drug-resistant depression and as a first-line option. To explore the risks and benefits of this choice of therapy and discuss its potential mechanism of action.   Methods:   Literature review of Pubmed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and available medical textbooks.   Conclusions: Treatment with venlafaxine and mirtazapine is safe, especially for drug-resistant depression. It is worth considering adding venlafaxine to already ongoing pharmacotherapy with mirtazapine when the patient experiences sleepiness and the symptoms of depression have not been sufficiently reduced. Augmenting venlafaxine treatment with mirtazapine also seems necessary when the patient complains of insomnia. One may consider implementing such therapy as a first-line treatment in patients who suffer from depression for a long time and experience insomnia in its course

The potential of amniotic membrane in surgery - current applications

This article explores the potential benefits and challenges of using the amniotic membrane in surgical procedures. Amniotic membranes have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-scarring, and antimicrobial properties, which can promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. They can be utilized in a variety of surgical settings, including ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and orthopedics. However, the use of amniotic membranes also poses certain limitations and risks, such as the potential for immune reactions and disease transmission. The article reviews the current literature on amniotic membrane usage in surgery and discusses the clinical implications and future research directions. In summary, the amniotic membrane represents a promising alternative to traditional surgical approaches, but its benefits and limitations must be carefully weighed and assessed in each individual case

Preserving fertility in young adolescents with cancer - an oncofertility perspective

Oncofertility is an emerging field at the intersection of oncology and reproductive medicine that aims to address the fertility-related consequences of cancer treatment. Advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment have led to significant improvements in survival rates, but many cancer treatments can cause infertility or premature ovarian failure, which can have a profound impact on the quality of life and overall well-being of cancer survivors. Oncofertility seeks to provide patients with the opportunity to preserve their reproductive potential before undergoing cancer treatment, thus ensuring that they have options for starting a family after treatment. This field encompasses a range of approaches, including fertility preservation techniques. While oncofertility is still a relatively new field, it has already made significant strides in improving the quality of life for cancer survivors. However, there are still many challenges that must be addressed, including access to oncofertility services and the development of new and more effective techniques. This paper will explore the current state of oncofertility research and highlight some of the key challenges and opportunities in this important field