ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BONE TISSUE BANK AT MOSTAR UNIVERSITY CLINICAL HOSPITAL.

Bone tissue banks are necessary for collection, production, testing, packaging, storage and delivery of bone transplants. Bone tissue bank is a link between the donor and the recipient by which the donation becomes a medium of health improvement for both the donor and the recipient. At the Department of Orthopedics, Mostar University Clinical Hospital, about 200 total hip replacements are performed per year. Most patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery (90%) have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and they are suitable donors, having in mind their age and comorbidities. In the same Department, around 50 procedures that require bone transplants are performed per year. A team of highly competent surgeons are working on an intensive process of adaptation oriented to quality improvement and intensification of the activity, both with the goal of meeting the standards of excellence in orthopedic surgery. The presence of a bone tissue bank has a favorable impact on the quality of health care owing to bone transplant availability, as well as on the scientific role of a highly specialized institution that examines the properties of bone tissue.

Results of treatment of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children by K-wiring.

The supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children remains the most challenging injury for the orthopedic surgeon. It is important to consider the options of treatment very carefully and tailor the treatment according to the characteristics of each fracture. In this study we observed outcomes of surgical procedures using the Kirschner-wire for the dislocated (displaced) supracondylar fractures in 135 children (mean age 6.7 years). In 96 patients closed reposition (reduction) and fixation with crossed K-wire was done. A total of 41 children were operated by the means of open reposition and crossed K-wire fixation. Another 41 underwent similar (1-mm) K-wire application. In classifying the fractures Gartland classification of the supracondilar fractures of the humerus was used. Postoperatively, cubitus varus was found in seven, and cubitus valgus in three children (5% and 2% respectively). Stiffness of the elbow was recorded in 18 patients, while the paresis of the ulnar nerve was recorded in three cases (13 and 2% respectively). In conclusion, we can suggest crossed fixation while applying the K-wire throughout two cortexes, since such technique ensures the most superior fixation and stable osteosynthesis.