Anatomy of septocutaneous blood vessels of the anterior forearm.

Aim To measure a calibre of radial and ulnar septocutaneous perforators at the anterior forearm, and to count its number in proximal, middle and distal thirds. Methods The study was conducted on 50 fresh amputated forearms (trauma, tumours) in the period between January 2012 and December 2021. Forearms were collected from several hospitals in Belgrade, and analysed at the Institute of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Belgrade, Serbia. Injection of ink-gelatin and fine dissection of autopsy material was performed on 30 forearms, and corrosion method with injecting methyl methacrylate for 3D analysis on the other 20 forearms. Results A mean calibre of septocutaneous perforators on the radial artery was 0.53±0.46 mm (0.2-0.85). Averagely, there were 8.1 radial artery septocutaneous perforators - two perforators on the proximal third, 3.7 on the middle third, and 2.7 on the distal third. The mean calibre of ulnar artery perforators was 0.65±0.35 mm (0.18-1.8). The average number of septocutaneous perforators of the ulnar artery was 5.6; 1.2 on the proximal third, two on the middle third, and 2.2 on distal third. Conclusion Determination of the origin, calibre and spreading directions of the arterial septocutaneous perforators on the anterior forearm provide quantification of data about arborisation of radial and ulnar septocutaneous perforators at the anterior forearm. Clinical relevance of those anatomical data is in defining of safe locations and dimensions of forearm fasciocutaneous flaps in plastic surgery.

Intraoperative neuromonitoring in spine deformity surgery: modalities, advantages, limitations, medicolegal issues - surgeons' views.

In spine deformity surgery, iatrogenic neurologic injuries might occur due to the mechanical force applied to the spinal cord from implants, instruments, and bony structures, or due to ischemic changes from vessel ligation during exposure and cord distraction/compression during corrective manoeuvres.Prompt reaction within the reversible phase (reducing of compressive/distractive forces) usually restores functionality of the spinal cord, but if those forces continue to persist, a permanent neurological deficit might be expected.With monitoring of sensory pathways (dorsal column-medial lemniscus) by somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs), such events are detected with a sensitivity of up to 92%, and a specificity of up to 100%.The monitoring of motor pathways by transcranial electric motor-evoked potentials (TceMEPs) has a sensitivity and a specificity of up to 100%, but it requires avoidance of halogenated anaesthetics and neuromuscular blockades.Different modalities of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM: SSEP, TceMEP, or combined) can be performed by the neurophysiologist, the technician or the surgeon. Combined SSEP/TceMEP performed by the neurophysiologist in the operating room is the preferable method of IONM, but it might be impractical or unaffordable in many institutions. Still, many spine deformity surgeries worldwide are performed without any type of IONM. Medicolegal aspects of IONM are different worldwide and in many cases some vagueness remains.The type of IONM that a spinal surgeon employs should be reliable, affordable, practical, and recognized by the medicolegal guidelines. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:9-16. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.180032.

Guidelines for Editing Biomedical Journals: Recommended by Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

BACKGROUND: Enormous number of medical journals published around the globe requires standardization of editing practice. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to enlist main principles of editing biomedical scientific journals adopted at annual meeting of Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia & Herzegovina (AMSB&H). METHODS: The evidence for writing this Guideline was systematically searched for during September 2020 in the PUBMED and GOOGLE SCHOLAR databases. The inclusion criteria were: original studies, systematic reviews, invited expert opinions, guidelines and editorials. The exclusion criteria were narrative reviews and uninvited opinion articles. The retrieved evidence was analyzed by members of the AMSB&H, then discussed at 2020 annual meeting of the AMSB&H and adopted by nominal group technique. RESULTS: In total 14 recommendations were made, based on A to C class of evidence. The editors should educate potential authors and instruct them how to structure their manuscript, how to write every segment of the manuscript, and take care about correct use of statistical tests. Plagiarism detection softwares should be used regularly, and statistical and technical editing should be rigorous and thorough. International standards of reporting specific types of studies should be followed, and principles of ethical and responsible behavior of editors, reviewers and authors should be published on the journal's web site. The editors should insist on registration of clinical studies before submission, and check whether non-essential personal information is removed from the articles; when essential personal information has to be included, an article should not be published without signed informed consent by the patient to whom these information relate. CONCLUSIONS: Principles of editing biomedical scientific journals recommended in this guideline should serve as one of the means of improving medical journals' quality.

Balkan Clinical Research Registry: Established by Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

BACKGROUND: From 2013 the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki explicitly requires pre-registration of a study involving human subjects. The registration gives a chance for improvement of design and avoidance of bias. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to describe process of bearing decision to create regional registry of clinical studies for Balkan countries. METHODS: After finding relevant studies about research registries and designing the concept and structure of future regional registry an article was published in IJBH journal. The article was than used as basis for discussion at 2020 meeting of Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AMSBH), and final decision was made by the Academy to create the research registry. RESULTS: Regional registry of clinical studies will be under the auspices of AMSBH and web-based, with the option of online registration of new studies. The data required to be entered in the moment of registration relate to key elements of research plan: topic, variables, sample, type of the study and the study population. After applying for registration of a clinical study, the authors will soon receive the review made by the AMSBH expert committee. The application could be accepted, rejected or returned for major or minor revision. After an application is accepted, it will be deposited in the searchable database and given the registration number. CONCLUSION: The AMSBH's decision to create the regional registry of clinical studies will satisfy needs of researchers from Balkan countries in the first place, who share cultural and lingual similarities. It will also help with increasing standards of clinical research in the region.

Experience of nurses in assessing postoperative pain in hip fracture patients suffering from dementia in nursing homes.

Aim To explore the experiences of registered nurses in assessing postoperative pain in hip fracture patients suffering from dementia in nursing homes. Methods The study was designed as a qualitative study using data from a self-reported questionnaire form. Data were collected through the self-administered questionnaire with 23 questions, mainly addressing demographic and social data, information about communication and pain assessment. Results All nurses reported that large part of verbal communication with dementia patients was lost, and non-verbal communication was very important to optimize the care of these patients in postoperative situations. An assessment of pain in patients with dementia and hip fractures was a complex process because cognitive ability of these patients was reduced. Conclusion Registered nurses need to know various and different forms of evaluation and tools to assess the experience of pain in patients with dementia who had undergone surgery for hip fractures. This is a complicated task, which requires a great deal of time, and means that nurses must work together with other medical staff, using a holistic approach.

The experience of nurse anaesthetists in assessing postoperative pain in orthopaedic patients.

Aim To explore the experiences of anaesthesia nurses in assessing postoperative pain in patients undergoing total hip and/or knee arthroplasty. Methods Data were collected through four focus group interviews (FGI) using the critical incident technique (CIT). The participants were six men and 12 women, all registered nurses with further education in anaesthesia with at least five-year experience of caring for patients on a postoperative ward. Results Maintaining communication with orthopaedic patients, different ways to assess pain, the assessment of unresponsive patients, using pain assessment scales and different work circumstances influencing their use, were stated as the main problems the nurses emphasize while assessing the pain of patients. Conclusion Skills related to observing the behaviour and experience of pain in different individuals are needed to ensure an understanding of patients' pain, as well as the patients' ability to estimate their pain, where the intensity of the pain varies in different patients. Further studies are needed to examine the way health professionals assess pain, depending on the patients' ability to transform their pain from a subjective feeling into an objective numeric grade. The way individuals assess their pain differently and the way the resulting knowledge and experience of postoperative care may help nurses and other health-care professionals.

Kyphosis - A risk factor for positioning brachial plexopathy during spinal surgeries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in transcranial electric motor-evoked potentials - TceMEP on upper limbs and the incidences of postoperative brachial plexopathy between patients with kyphotic and scoliotic trunk shapes. METHODS: In the period of January 2011-January 2017, 61 consecutive patients (mean age: 18.4 years ± 4.4 years (range: 10-32)) with pediatric spinal deformity underwent surgery in our Department. Eight of them had a kyphotic trunk deformity (Scheuermann kyphosis, neurofibromatosis, posterior thoracic hemivertebra), and the rest of the 53 patients had a scoliotic trunk deformity (mostly adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - AIS, lateral hemivertebra). The TceMEP recordings in all four limbs were analyzed every 30 min, or upon the surgeon's command. Upper limb TceMEP recordings were used as a control of systemic and anesthetic related changes, and as the indicator of positioning brachial plexopathy. RESULTS: Four out of 8 patients (50.0%) from the kyphotic group experienced noteworthy decreases in TceMEP amplitude (≥65%) in one or both arms, and only 2 out of 53 patients (3.8%) from the scoliotic group, confirming significant statistical difference (Chi-square 16.75, p < 0.05). Two out of 8 patients with decreases in TceMEP amplitude suffered from transitory postoperative brachial plexopathy, and both of them were from the kyphotic group. CONCLUSION: It seems that kyphotic trunks have a higher risk for positioning-related brachial plexopathy, probably due to distribution of trunk's weight onto only four points (two iliac bones and two shoulders), compared to the scoliotic trunks that have wider weight-bearing areas. We emphasize the importance of proper patient positioning and close intraoperative neuro-monitoring of all four limbs in more than one channel per limb. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV Therapeutic Study.

Experience of registered nurses in assessing postoperative pain in hip fracture patients with dementia.

Aim To explore the experience of registered nurses in assessing pain in hip fracture in patients with dementia in the postoperative setting. Methods The study questionnaire contained 23 items mainly addressing demographic and social data, information about communication and pain assessment, attention and awareness of the health-care professionals on the ward and suggestions for improving nursing. Results The nurses claimed that they began their assessment of pain in patients with dementia first by observing the patient and making a visual assessment of pain, after which they began to communicate with these patients; majority of dementia patients with hip fractures displayed more facial expressions of pain than patients without dementia. All the nurses agreed that the more severe the patient's dementia was, the less clear the facial expressions and that this in turn made it difficult for the nurses to take care of such patients. Body language was the most common way the patients with dementia and hip fractures expressed their pain. Assessing the pain of a dementia patient with hip fracture and interpreting a non-verbally communicative patient was experienced as very difficult by all the nurses. Conclusion The nurses found that the fact that they had not attended any courses on dementia and pain assessment in those patients made their work more difficult; they need to know more and to have more information about those patients and their needs for a more comprehensive exchange of information between the hospital wards and the patients' care homes.

Difficulties in using interpreters in clinical encounters as experienced by immigrants living in Sweden.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study a group of immigrants' experiences regarding interactions with primary health care through an interpreter. BACKGROUND: Approximately, 230 million people are resettled outside of their own home country. Thus, more than 3% of the world's population are migrants. It is a major challenge for health care providers to satisfy immigrants' needs for individualised health care services. DESIGN: Qualitative study. METHODS: Focus group interviews were conducted with four groups of immigrants (n = 24) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Somalia. The group interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed, and the text was categorised using the content analysis method. RESULTS: Participants' expectations of the interpreter-mediated consultations were high, but not always fulfilled. Interpreters being late, lacking professionalism or lacking knowledge in medical terminology and the use of health care professionals or relatives as interpreters were some of the problems raised. CONCLUSION: A well-organised, disciplined interpreter service with professional and competent interpreters is needed to overcome problems regarding clinical consultations involving interpreters. A satisfactory language bridge has a significant impact on the quality of communications. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Interpreter services should be well organised, and interpreters should be linguistically, culturally and socially competent, as these factors may have a significant impact on consultation outcomes. Using relatives or staff as interpreters can sometimes be a solution but often results in an unsatisfactory clinical consultation.

Controversies in treatment of acetabular fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Acetabular fractures treatment represents a great controversy, challenge and dilemma for an orthopedic surgeon. AIM: The aim of the paper was to present the results of treatment of 96 acetabular fractures in the Clinic of Traumatology Banja Luka, in the period from 2003 to 2013, as well as to raise awareness regarding the controversy in the methods of choice in treating acetabulum fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The series consists of 96 patients, 82 males and 14 females, average age 40.5 years. Traffic trauma was the cause of fractures in 79 patients (85%), and in 17 patients (15%) fractures occurred due to falls from height. Polytrauma was present in 31 patients (32%). According to the classification of Judet and Letournel, representation of acetabular fractures was as follows: posterior wall in 32 patients, posterior column in 28, anterior wall in 4, anterior column in 2, transverse fractures in 8, posterior wall and posterior column in 10, anterior and posterior wall in 6, both- column in 4 and transversal fracture and posterior wall in 2 patients. 14 patients were treated with traction, that is, 6 patients with femoral traction and 8 patients with both lateral and femoral traction. 82 patients (86.4%) were surgically treated. Kocher-Langenbeck approach was applied in the treatment of 78 patients. In two patients from the Kocher-Langenbeck's approach, the Ollier's approach had to be applied as well. Two acetabular were primarily treated with Ollier's approach. Extended Smith- Peterson's approach was applied 4 times, and Emile Letournel's (ilioinguinal) approach 14 times. RESULTS: Functional outcome (after follow-up of 18 months), according to the Harris hip score of surgical treatment in 82 patients, was as follows: good 46 (56%), satisfactory 32 (39%) and poor 4 (5%). Results of acetabulum fractures treated with traction were: good 8 (57%), satisfactory 4 (28%) and poor 2 (15%). According to the Brook's classification of heterotopic ossification, periarticular hetero-tropic calcifications after surgical treatment were: 0° in 65 patients (79%), I-II° in 9 patients (11%) and III-IV ° in 8 patients (10%). Calcifications in 14 patients treated with traction of heterotopic ossification by Brook-s classification were as follows: 0° in 10 patients (72%), I-II ° in 3 patients (22%) and III-IV° in 1 patient (6%). CONCLUSION: At the occurrence of acetabular fracture, it is necessary to start the treatment immediately, with an obligatory application of thromboembolic and antibiotic prophylaxis. Conservative treatment is acceptable if the dislocation of fracture is less than 5 mm. Indications for surgical treatment are incongruent or unstable fractures with verified dislocation greater than 5 mm, as well as when the radiography measured by JM Matta shows incongruence of acetabular roof less than 40° in all planes. Kocher-Langenbeck approach is the choice of surgical approach for the management of posterior column / wall, and Letournel's (ilioinguinal) approach is the choice for the management of anterior wall/column.

Gender Differences in Biochemical and Electroneurographic Parameters of Median and Ulnar Nerve.

INTRODUCTION: In this article are demonstrated differences in the aspects of the metabolic syndrome (MSy) between genders, as well as the association of MSy and neuropathy. THE AIM: The aim of our study was that in patients with newly discovered metabolic syndrome of both sexes make comparison of fasting blood glucose levels and after oral glucose tolerance test, as well as neurophysiological parameters of n.medianus and n.ulnaris. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All participants were examined dermatologically. The analysis included the 36 male and 36 female respondents with a newly discovered MSy. RESULTS: The average age of men was 52.75±7.5 (40-65) years and women 52.1±7.7 (38-67) years. The average value of fasting blood glucose in women was 5.86±0.87 (4.5-8) mmol/L, and non significantly higher in men (p=0.0969) as 6.19±0.8 (4.7-8) mmol/L. Average values of blood sugar 120 minutes after oral glucose tolerance test were not significantly different (p=0.7052), and was 5.41±1.63 (3.3-9.7) mmol/L in women and 5.27±1.52 (2.7-9.8) mmol/L in men. Median motor velocity were significantly higher in women for n.medianus on the left (p=0.0024), n.ulnaris on the left (p=0.0081) and n.ulnaris on the right side (p=0.0293), and the median motor terminal latency were significantly longer in n.ulnaris on the left (p=0.0349) and n.ulnaris on the right side (p=0.011). There was no significant difference in the sensory conductivity velocity in n.medianus and n.ulnaris between the groups, but the amplitude with the highest peak of the sensory response was significantly higher in n.medianus on the left (p=0.0269) and n.ulnaris on the left side (p=0.0009) in female patients. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there are differences in neurophysiological parameters of the investigated nerves between the genders, and that tested nerve structures in the course of MSy are affected slightly more in men. There were no significant differences in skin changes between genders.

The influence of allogeneic platelet gel on the morphology of human long bones.

The aim of this study is to analyze the morphologic and functional change of human bone defect after its grafting with mixture of platelet gel and autologous cancellous bone. For one year, we have prospectively studied nine consecutive pa- tients, aged 25-73 y, with pseudoarthrosis of long bones, after unsuccessful initial surgeries. We have harvested can- cellous bone from patients' iliac crests and mixed with the ABO compatible allogeneic platelet rich plasma (PRP) gel. That mixture has been inserted in the bone defect, and surgically fixated. Radiologically, the defects achieved the bone morphology (the appearance of hazy callus) between 6th and 24th week. The time of functional recovery was varied, be- tween 12 and 40 weeks for partial weight bearing, and between 16 and 48 weeks for free limb mobility and full function of the limb. The overall healing of bone defect was 16 to 36 weeks. Two patients had complications of poor graft ingrowth and one with a reversible postsurgical nerve paresis. On the X-ray scans, solid and fast restoration of bone structure was notable, with excellent bone ingrowth, suitable for full weight bearing. The allogeneic platelet gel had no adverse effects. This method can be used for treating of long bone defects, because of its strong influence on restoration of normal bone morphology. Further investigation is required to establish efficiency relative to other methods.

Postoperative infections after posterior spondylodesis of thoracic and lumbal spine. Surgical spine infections.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative infection after posterior spondylodesis of thoracic and lumbal spine is the most common complication, and a reason for revision surgery. Aim of this work is to analyze rate of postoperative spine infections at our institution, and to determine eventual risk factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In our paper we analyze incidence of deep surgical infections after posterior spondylodesis, performed on our Spine department during last 5 years (September 1, 2008 - September 1, 2013). Including criteria were: posterior spondylodesis with transpedicular screws from Th1 to S2 due to different spine indications (injuries, degenerations, deformities, tumors), absence of local or general infection prior the index surgery, surgery performed by the same surgeon (MB). Excluding criteria were: needle procedures (kypho/vertebro-plasties, nerve root and faset blocades), anterior spine surgeries, cervical spine surgeries, and decompresive surgeries. RESULTS: One hundred sixty five patients with 183 surgeries have been included in this study. Early surgical infection (within a month after the surgery) has appeared at five patients (2.7%). There have been no late surgical infections. Analyzing patients' charts, we have found that Meticillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have caused infections in two patients, while Clebisiela pneumoniae ESBL has caused infection in one patient. Those five patients with infections have had further risk factors: long preoperative hospitalization at four patients, polytrauma, diabetes and advanced age at one patient, each. Three patients with postoperative infection had completely non-titanium surface of implants, and other two had about 20% of non-titanium implant surface, although vast majority of surgeries have been performed by implants whose surface was completely titanium alloy. Infections have appeared between 10-30 postoperative days. In two patients where revision surgeries (debridement, drainage, antibiotic according the species) had been performed in two weeks after appearance of infection, infections have been cured. In three patients where revisions had been postponed for longer than two weeks, additional surgeries (removal of implants) were necessary for curing the infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study presented that rate of infection, microbiological species and risk factors are similar to the other orthopedics procedures and other institutions. Early revision is preferable, since it effectively avoids implant removal.

The radiological estimation of vertebral body volumes on the thoracic and lumbal spine.

The aim of this work is to radiologicaly estimate the width, height and depth of bodies of thoracic and lumbal vertebras. Charts of one hundred and seventeen patients with implanted internal fixateur on the thoracic and lumbal spine, between 01.01.2008. and 31.3.2010. at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology - Clinical Centre Sarajevo, were retrieved, and only 14 patients, with totally 46 vetrtebras have meet including criteria (clearly visible measured structures on X-ray and CT scans, and data about implants dimensions). Digitalized anteroposterior and laterolateral X-ray, and transversal and sagital CT scans were basic inputs for measurement of height, width and depth of the vertebral body--CH, CW, CD. The correction of enlargement on X-ray pictures was performed according to known dimensions of implants and the length scale on CT scans. Enlargement of those parameters, from T1 to L5 spine level was from 60 to 100%, except the stagnation in the mid-thoracic region, and decreasing of corporal depth on the L5 vertebra (CD/L5), in comparison to the fourth vertebra (CD/L4). The clinical importance of this work is in estimation and comparison of dimensions of vertebral bodies measured on X-ray and CT scans, as the basic inputs during surgical procedures of vertebroplasty and anterior spondilodesis.

Short-term results after local application of steroids and anesthetics in patients with painful spine conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal pain is the most common of all chronic pain disorders. Imaging studies can be used to determine whether a pathological process is associated with the patient's symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To determine the short-term efficiency of local instillation of steroids in patients with painful spine conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study included 35 patients with diagnosis of lumbar or cervical radiculopathy, or cervical and lumbar syndrome at the Department for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department for the Orthopedics and Traumatology, and Department for the Neurosurgery, Clinical Canter University of Sarajevo (KCUS). A clinical examination, visual pain scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were performed prior to the needle procedure and seven days after it. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used for comparison of pre and post-interventional results. This procedure was done for the first time in our region. RESULTS: The males and females were equally represented in this study (17:18). The patients were 29 to 80 years old. The highest number of patients have been between 40-60 years, older then that have been 44.2% of patients, and younger only 8.5%. Patients have complained about the radicular pain along the legs or arms or back or neck pain. Most of them had disc herniation-57.14%, 8.57% had bulging disc, 8.57% had spinal canal stenosis, 5.71% had fasetarthrosis, rest of them had combination of those conditions. There was a statistically significant difference between the value of ODI score before procedure and 7 days later (26 +/- 10:16 +/- 12; p < 0.001). The difference was also statistically significant in VAS values (7 +/- 1:1 +/- 1; p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Our study suggests that needle instillation of steroid and lidocaine is effective in short-term pain occurs in different painful spine conditions (Sy cervicale, lumbare and radiculopathy). It is valuable alternative to the classic methods of physical and drug therapy. It can also postpone surgical treatment, and it is very useful in situations of diffuse degenerative changes when is very important to define exact source of pain, like for instance in hip-spine syndrome.

Occupational overuse syndrome (technological diseases): carpal tunnel syndrome, a mouse shoulder, cervical pain syndrome.

Technological diseases are diseases of the modern era. Some are caused by occupational exposures, and are marked with direct professional relation, or the action of harmful effects in the workplace. Due to the increasing incidence of these diseases on specific workplaces which may be caused by one or more causal factors present in the workplace today, these diseases are considered as professional diseases. Severity of technological disease usually responds to the level and duration of exposure, and usually occurs after many years of exposure to harmful factor. Technological diseases occur due to excessive work at the computer, or excessive use of keyboards and computer mice, especially the non-ergonomic ones. This paper deals with the diseases of the neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist (cervical radiculopathy, mouse shoulder and carpal tunnel syndrome), as is currently the most common diseases of technology in our country and abroad. These three diseases can be caused by long-term load and physical effort, and are tied to specific occupations, such as occupations associated with prolonged sitting, working at the computer and work related to the fixed telephone communication, as well as certain types of sports (tennis, golf and others).

Motor evoked potentials in 43 high risk spine deformities.

INTRODUCTION: Correction of pediatric spine deformities is challenging surgical procedures. This fragile group of patients has many risk factors, therefore prevention of most fearing complication-paraplegia is extremely important. Monitoring of transmission of neurophysiological impulses through motor and sensor pathways of spinal cord gives us an insight into cord's function, and predicts postoperative neurological status. GOAL: Aim of this work is to present our experiences in monitoring of spinal cord motor function - MEP during surgical corrections of the hardest pediatric spine deformities, pointing on the most dangerous aspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed incidence of MEP changes and postoperative neurological status in patients who had major spine correcting surgery in period April '11- April '14 on our Spine department. RESULTS: Two of 43 patients or 4.6% in our group experienced significant MEP changes during their major spine reconstructive surgeries. We promptly reduced distractive forces, and MEP normalized, and there were no neurological deficit. Neuromonitoring is reliable method which allows us to "catch" early signs of neurological deficits, when they are still in reversible phase. Although IONM cannot provide complete protection of neurological deficit (it reduces risk of paraplegia about 75%), it at least afford a comfort to the surgeon being fear free that his patient is neurologically intact during long lasting procedures.

Choice of surgical approach with alloplastic hip surgery.

INTRODUCTION: From all deceases and injuries of femur, most surgical, medical, social and economical difficulties and problems are created by deceases and fractures of femur neck. AIM OF THE PAPER: Aims of this research lie in the value of surgical approach (Hueter, Mooro and Gibson's) when anchoring hip endoprosthesis. The following parameters were analyzed: Harris Hip Score before and after the surgery, the length of the surgical incision, duration of the surgery, the amount of transfusion used, post-surgery time of the first movement to the upright position and full weight bearing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the Orthopedic clinic in Travnik in the period from January 1st 2005 to December 31st 2009, 136 hip prosthesis were implanted. Out of that number, 56 hip prosthesis were implanted using Moor approach, 34 using Hueter approach and 46 patients were exposed to postero lateral (Gibson's) approach. All patients were treated in the same manner, operated by the same surgery team. RESULTS: Hueter approach has the highest quality of surgical treatment as none of the patients had the value of the score of surgical treatment below 8. Using Hueter's approach 16 patients had the value of the score of quality of the surgical treatment between 8 and 10, whereas 18 patients had the score of quality of surgical treatment above 10. The second quality surgical treatment is Gibson's posteolateral approach at which 29 patients had the score of quality surgical treatment below 8, and 17 patients had the quality surgical treatment between 8 and 10. The worst quality of surgical treatment is Moor's approach because all 56 patients had the quality surgical treatment below 8. DISCUSSION: Implantation of total endoprosthesis of dysplastic hip with adults is a demanding orthopedic surgery. The surgery of implanted hip as well as endoprosthetic materials have both improved at the satisfaction of both the patients and the surgeons. Excellent and extraordinary results were achieved over the time have become a standard. In spite of that huge surgery wound and long recovery have motivated surgeons to improve the surgery techniques. CONCLUSION: With proper instruments and endoprosthesis, Hueter approach has advantages compared to Gibson and Moor's approach of implantation of endoprosthesis of aligned hip.

The importance of the first ultrasonic exam of newborn hips.

INTRODUCTION: Developmental hip disorder (DHD) is a disorder in development of the acetabulum which remains abrupt (dysplasia) and probably consequential cranialisation of the femur head (luxation). AIM OF THE PAPER: The aim of this paper is to establish the total number of DHD and its subtypes at the first clinical and ultrasound exam of newborns in a retrospective-prospective study made in the period from 1st Jan 2006 through to 31 Dec 2010 at the Clinic for orthopaedics and traumatology in Banja Luka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total 6132 patients were examined and 99 cases diagnosed with DHD (dysplasia and luxation). Ultrasonic exam was done by means of electronic probe of 5-12 MHz according to standard method after Graph. Girls were significantly more present (96%). Positive family anamnesis on DHD was present with 7.8% examinee, mainly with primiparas, and/ or with 77.8% children with DHD. Dominant intrauterine risk factors for DHD were: mal position of foetus in uterus (78.6%), oligoamnion (17.9%), malformation of the spinal column of the pregnant woman (3.6%), whereas with 38.4% of children with a certain form of DHD the following were found: breech presentation, caesarean section or twin pregnancy. The clinical exam indicated DHD with 8.87% examinee, out of which hip looseness was found with 5% examinees. Ultrasonic finding was positive with 99 examinee, that is with 1.61% of them (deficient and badly formed acetabulum, sleeked protrusion; 8 luxations and 91 dysplasia). Prophylactic measures were requested by 58.6% children (abductive bending and exercises), whereas 41.4 % needed non-intervention therapeutic measures (traction, Pavlik's straps, Graph's knickers, plastering), after which there were no children needing surgical correction of DHD. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that clinical exam is unreliable for DHD diagnostics, and that Ultrasonic diagnostics and treatment of DHD should start as early as possible applying atraumatic helping devices and procedures in the period when all structures are elastic, flexible and adaptable.

Correlation of aggressiveness and anxiety in fighting sports.

INTRODUCTION: in fighting sports there are many opened issues related with levels of aggression and anxiety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study is performed with healthy young athletes: kick boxers, karate fighters, and boxers. Examined group consisted of 55 members (45 male) with average age of 20.2 +/- 3.8 years. In analysis of level of aggression Questionnaire A-87 is used. Its purpose is assessment of aggressive behaviour in provoked situations, or measurement of impulsive aggression. Questionnaire A-87 consists of 15 items of different situations with five possible responses. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The possible responses or reactions are the five most frequent forms of aggressive responses: a) verbal manifest aggression (VM); b) physical manifest aggression (PHM); c) indirect aggression (IND); d) verbal latent aggression (VL), and e) physical latent aggression (PHL). In the analysis of anxiety is used Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI. Average training period was 7.8 +/- 3.6 years. Even 37 athletes during sporting carriers were injured, and most of examiners (precisely 13) experienced 3 injuries. Average value of BAI was 12.7 +/- 8.7. Average value of total aggression was 152.2 +/- 40.9; highest levels were observed in VM (33.9) and VL (30.1). Significant positive correlations of all components of aggression with level of anxiety is observed (p < 0.05), most prominent IND (r = 0.4263; p = 0.0012), and VL (r = 0.4163; p = 0.0016), and also total aggression (r = 0.4822; p = 0.0002). Slightly significant positive correlation of total aggression with age of examiners is also observed (r = 0.2668, p = 0.0489). Positive correlation VM (r = 0.4928; p = 0.0001), PHL (r = 0.2761; p = 0.0413), and total aggression (r = 0.347; p = 0.0094) is observed with number of injuries of examined athletes. Also, positive correlation (r = 0.2927, p = 0.0301) is observed with level of anxiety and number of injuries. Higher level of aggression and anxiety might change attitude of some sports authorities (especially coaches), and additional psychological training of fight sports might be necessary. CONCLUSION: Assessment of basically levels of aggression and anxiety of athletes might be valuable not only in sport activities, but in overall aspects of life.