The quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced venous insufficiency (including venous stasis ulcers, skin discoloration, stasis eczema, and lipodermatosclerosis) assessed using the Clinical Etiological Anatomical Pathophysiological (CEAP) and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) classifications is presented. Also, disease features such as: intensity of pain, edema and inflammatory response that exerted the most profound effect on different domains of QoL are reported. The global QoL in patients with lower leg venous ulcerations was relatively similar to that observed in other patients with chronic venous insufficiency. The presence of venous ulcerations was associated with lower QoL in a Physical domain. Significant correlations were found between pain intensity and the values of Physical, Physiological, Level of Independence and Environmental domains, between edema intensity and Social domain as well as between the intensity of inflammatory response and Physical and Spiritual domains.

Leaving surgical instruments in the patient’s body is one of the most difficult situations in the professional career of an operator and it can also have severe consequences for the patient. Contrary to world literature, there are no reports of such incidents in Polish publications. Lack of such reports creates an illusion that leaving surgical instruments in the patient’s body does not happen in Poland, which is an unsubstantiated thesis. This paper presents two cases of leaving hemostats in the abdominal cavity. According to the authors, similar publications may facilitate critical assessment of the existing rules for inspecting instruments and surgical material by surgical teams. Importantly, confirming the compliance of instruments and material by surgical nurses is not the only criterion of assessment in this matter for the operator.