[Lethal course of complicated vascular prosthesis infections].

Presented are two cases of vascular prosthesis infections complicated by peritonitis with a lethal course. The authors describe complicated antibiotic therapy with findings, exhausted options for surgical therapy and subsequent decision that the condition was untreatable and palliative care was initiated.

Antibiotic utilization and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance in intensive care units.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most frequent and dangerous pathogens involved in the etiology of severe nosocomial infections. A retrospective observational study was conducted at all intensive care units of the University Hospital in Olomouc, Czech Republic (155 ICU beds). Complete antibiotic utilization data of the ICUs in the period of 1999 to 2008 were processed according to ATC/DDD system and expressed in defined daily doses per 100 bed-days (DBD).

[Intensive care patients and infection].

Recent advances in intensive care medicine, especially in the last 30 years, have brought numerous new therapeutic methods, devices and materials. On the other hand, more complicated therapy results in higher rates of nosocomial infections, many of which are typical for intensive care. The article provides more detailed information about the issues related to ventilator-associated pneumonia and venous catheter-related infections.

[Non-penetrating thoracic injuries].

The authors compare the causes and severity of non-penetrating chest injuries during two three-year periods: 1986-1989 and 1996-1999. Within the 10-year interval the incidence of blunt chest injuries increased by almost 124%, the mean age of the casualties reduce by five years and the most frequent cause were road accidents. Chest injuries are in more than half the casualties part of multiple injuries or polytraumatism.

[Surgical treatment of spontaneous esophageal perforation--Boerhaave syndrome].

Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome) is a life threatening disease the successful treatment of which depends on early diagnosis and effective comprehensive treatment. The authors present an account on three patients who were successfully treated on account of spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus.