[The treatment of subtrochanteric fractures].

Subtrochanteric fractures of the femur have a special place because of a significant number of complications following treatment. Powerful loading forces asymmetrically acting to this bone segment, as well as poor vascularization interfere with bone union. There are basically two current approaches in the fixation of subtrochanteric fractures; the first involves a plate with a compression screw and another one is intramedullary (IM) nail, with two options: centromedullary (standard interlocking femoral nail) and cephalomedullary femoral nail with two modifications, reconstructive and trochanteric. All IM nails may be used by open technique or closed minimal invasive method. IM nailing is favoured in view of a shorter operative time, shorter hospitalisation and complications. Indirect fracture reduction and knowledge of biology of bone fracture may result in full success without any bone graft.

Osteo-articular diseases as comorbidity in non-orthopaedic surgery.

Osteo-articular diseases have significant presence among general population. Osteo-articular disorders can be caused by disease or by trauma. There are many osteo-articular diseases which have influence on general state of the organysm and on other present diseases in a various level. The influence appears by increasing risk of main disease complications, limited movement complicates postoperative treatment of main disease and medicament therapy of osteo-articular disease sometimes modifies perioperative therapy of main disease. Trauma as comorbidity needs urgent care and, in the same time, it is a huge complication for the injured condition. Osteoarticular trauma healing usually lasts several weeks, so it prolongs the healing of intercurrent surgical disease. Osteo-articular changes as comorbidity during the acute surgical disease healing need proper preoperative preparing, With the aim to minimise perioperative morbidity and mortality.

[Hip dislocation following the treatment of femoral neck fracture--case report].

INTRODUCTION: Femoral neck fractures are very rare in young patients and are frequently complicated by femoral head osteonecrosis and femoral neck nonunion. CASE OUTLINE: A 19-year-old girl with hip dislocation following the treatment of the femoral neck fracture is presented. The femoral neck fracture was initially treated by open reduction and three-screw fixation. After detecting the nonunion of femoral neck, valgus osteotomy was done. Secondary, iatrogenic, hip dislocation appeared. The patient had pains, and in iclinical findings a shorter leg and limited range of motion in the hip--altogether 40 degrees. She was then successfully treated by open reduction, together with Chiari pelvic osteotomy and joint transfixation. Transfixation pin was removed three weeks following the operation. After that, the patient was put into the abduction device and physical therapy was started. The mentioned regimen lasted four months after the surgery, then the abduction device was removed and walking started. Full weight bearing was allowed eight months after surgery. CONCLUSION: As we have not found the literature data concerning the above mentioned problem, we solved it in the way that we usually do for the treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip in adolescence.

Alumina-on-alumina ceramic versus metal-on-highly cross-linked polyethylene bearings in total hip arthroplasty: a comparative study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability and durability of alumina-on-alumina ceramic in comparison to metal-on-highly cross-linked polyethylene (CoCr/HXLPE) bearing couples. This prospective randomised study involved 150 patients (157 hips). All patients (mean age: 54.7 years) obtained an identical fibre metal midcoat femoral stem and fibre metal-coated acetabular shell. In 78 patients (82 hips) we used alumina, while in 72 patients (75 hips) metal-polyethylene bearing couples were used. During a mean 50.4-month follow-up period (51 ± 8 alumina and 50 ± 8.9 metal-polyethylene) no statistically significant changes in clinical and radiographic parameters were noted between the two groups. There was no ceramic breakage and no need for revision surgery due to the ceramic liner. The alumina bearing couples proved to be as reliable as CoCr/HXLPE.

[Antibiotic resistance]. / Rezistencija prema antibioticima.

INTRODUCTION: After six decades of antibiotic use, the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is increasing, and organisms resistant to almost all antibiotics have been identified. ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: It is important to understand why antibiotic resistance develops, in order to design strategies for its prevention. Factors that promote antibiotic resistance in community and hospital settings are: antibiotic selective pressure, prolonged antibiotic treatment, inadequate doses, prior use of a less effective drug of the same antibiotic class, protected sites or foreign bodies, and poor infection control practice. The best available ways to decrease and control antibiotic resistance are: rational use of antibiotics (e.g. appropriate selection of drug, dose, duration of treatment), good infection control procedures (hygienic practice and isolation), as well as local, national and global surveillance networks for monitoring dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and detection of new resistance mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Clinical guidelines, direct education, and regular reports on antibiograms may contribute to more prudent use of antibiotics. Overall, the problem of antibiotic resistance is global. However, measures need to be taken at an individual, institutional, and ultimately at national healthcare level.