Hydrogels are hydrophilic, soft polymer networks with high water content and mechanical properties that are tunable; they are also biocompatible. Therefore, as biomaterials, they are of interest to modern medicine. In this review, the main applications of hydrogels in essential clinical applications are discussed. Chemical, physical, or hybrid crosslinking of either synthetic or natural polymers allow for the precise control of hydrogels’ physicochemical properties and their specific characteristics for certain applications, such as stimuli-responsiveness, drug retention and release, and biodegradability. Hydrogels are employed in gynecology to regenerate the endometrium, treat infections, and prevent pregnancy. They show promise in cardiology in myocardial infarction therapy through injectable scaffolds, patches in the heart, and medication delivery. In rheumatoid arthritis, hydrogels act as drug delivery systems, lubricants, scaffolds, and immunomodulators, ensuring effective local treatment. They are being developed, among other applications, as antimicrobial coatings for stents and radiotherapy barriers for urology. Ophthalmology benefits from the use of hydrogels in contact lenses, corneal bandages, and vitreous implants. They are used as materials for chemoembolization, tumor models, and drug delivery devices in cancer therapy, with wafers of Gliadel presently used in clinics. Applications in abdominal surgery include hydrogel-coated meshes for hernia repair or Janus-type hydrogels to prevent adhesions and aid tissue repair. Results from clinical and preclinical studies illustrate hydrogels’ diversity, though problems remain with mechanical stability, long-term safety, and mass production. Hydrogels are, in general, next-generation biomaterials for regenerative medicine, individualized treatment, and new treatment protocols.

Background/Objectives: Blunt abdominal trauma is a frequent challenge in emergency medicine, but its diagnosis and treatment become significantly more complex when rare anatomical anomalies are present. Atypical anatomy may mask symptoms or mimic other acute abdominal conditions, causing delays in treatment. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on six rare anatomical anomalies and their impact on the consequences of blunt abdominal trauma. Methods: A Narrative literature review was undertaken, covering PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, analysing publications from 1960 to 2025. Case reports and case series (91 patients in total) with confirmed organ damage following blunt trauma in the course of: duodenal diverticulum, Meckel’s diverticulum, splenic torsion, rupture or torsion of the accessory spleen, visceral inversion (situs inversus) and horseshoe kidney. Results: Demographic analysis revealed a predominance of perforations of the duodenal diverticulum in older women (mean age 62 years), while younger men predominated in all other groups. The clinical picture was often non-specific or misleading, especially in situs inversus, where the location of pain did not correlate with the typical topography of organs. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) has proved to be a key diagnostic tool, surpassing ultrasound/FAST scans due to its ability to provide precise anatomical imaging. Surgical treatment was predominant (100% in Meckel’s diverticulum, 95% in duodenal diverticulum), while conservative treatment was effective in horseshoe kidney injuries (94.8%). Mortality was highest in situs inversus (29%) and duodenal diverticulum perforation (20%). The vast majority of these fatal cases occurred in the era of modern computed tomography, suggesting that the therapeutic challenges stem directly from the specific nature of these anomalies, rather than from past diagnostic limitations. Conclusions: Anatomical anomalies significantly modulate the clinical manifestations of blunt abdominal trauma, increasing the risk of diagnostic errors. Early contrast-enhanced computed tomography and awareness of these rare pathologies are crucial for appropriate management and improved prognosis.