Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Cancer in Croatian and Bosnian Endemic Nephropathy Regions.

OBJECTIVES: Endemic nephropathy (EN) is a chronic tubulointerstitial renal disease associated with increased incidence of upper urinary tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) occurring predominantly in geographically limited areas in villages along big Danube river. Based on results obtained by the research it is confirmed that aristolochic acid is causative agent of endemic nephropathy (EN). AIM: The aim of this study was to determine characteristics of UTUC in two endemic areas and analyze trends in 5-year period. METHODS: This study included all patients with UTUC with or without synchronous/metachronous urothelial cancer in urinary bladder, from Croatian and Bosnian EN and non-EN regions. We analyzed archival data bases from all patients with UTUC who were admitted and operated in Department for surgery and urology, General Hospital Josip Bencevic Slavonski Brod in the time period between 2005 and 2010. Analyzed groups of patients were divided and compared as EN group (that includes patients from Croatian and Bosnian EN region) and non-EN group (that includes patients from Croatian and Bosnian non-EN region). All surgical specimens were processed according to standardized pathological procedures. RESULTS: Comparing patients basic characteristics from Croatian and Bosnian EN region there was no significant difference in gender (females were more frequently affected in both EN regions, p=0.99) or age (p=0.43) of patients. We found higher blood levels of urea and creatinine in group of patients from Croatian EN region when compared with group of patients from Bosnian EN region but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.79 and p=0.44, respectively). In patients from Croatian EN group Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower than levels from Bosnian EN region patients, p=0.0049. In group of patients from Bosnian EN region ureteral tumors were more frequently observed than in Croatian group of patients, when compared with renal pelvis tumors but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.258). CONCLUSION: Our data showed some differences in tumor localization between to investigated, relatively nearly situated, EN regions in Croatia and Bosnia. Statistically significant difference in hemoglobin levels between Croatian and Bosnian EN regions that should be further analyzed to give some reasonable explanation.

Laparoscopic Wedge Resection of Gastric Stromal Tumor (GIST).

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic treatment in general, in recent age has proven that it is well associated with low morbidity, mortality, fast recovery, less pain and sound oncologic outcomes. Recent reports from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) GIST Task Force and the GIST Consensus Conference under the auspices of The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) show that laparoscopic resection may be used for small gastric GISTs (< 2 cm in size). CASE REPORT: We report, all the benefits of laparoscopic approach which include short hospitalization, less pain, better cosmetic effect and good oncological outcome, in this case report of 60 year old female patient with gastric GIST larger than 2 cm.

Supernumerary breast in an adolescent boy.

We present an adolescent boy with unilateral supernumerary breast. It was a V type by Leung Clasification. Despite the average occurence between 0.22% and 6% in a normal population we have not had other cases in the last 20 years. The patient was an asthenic boy of sixteen in the IV stage of puberty. Sometimes he felt swelling and tenderness in this breast tissue two years ago. These symptoms became worse two months ago. At the admission he was symptom free. In the right hypochondrium inferomedially he had a nipple and areola with a small part of the glandular tissue. The axilla was empty. After an excision we got a 15 x 10 x 8 mm specimen. Pathohistological report described incompletely formed mammary lobule with smooth muscles and lactiferous ducts of nipple in dermis. This was consistent with the diagnosis of ectopic breast tissue. He wanted it removed for esthetic reasons. His hormonal state was normal. All blood checks were normal. Kidney ultrasound was normal. His grandmother had pyelon duplex and frequent uroinfections. As it is known, there is an association between supernumerary breast tissue and renal malformations. Since he did not have it, we think that a routine screening of the uropoetic system should be performed in any patient with supernumerary breast.

[Hospitalization of children with traumatic brain wounds in Brodposavina county]. / Hospitalizacija djece s traumatskim ozljedama mozga na podrucju Brodsko-posavske zupanije.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of acquired disability and death in children. Retrospective analysis showed 350 children, 128 (36.6%) girls and 222 (63.4%) boys who were hospitalized for injury of neurocranium in a 5 year-period in Dr. Josip Bencevic General Hospital in Slavonski Brod. Most of them had both contusion and commotion (46.8%), followed by just contusion of the head (12.5%) and fractures of the skull (10.5%). The haemorrhages and hemathomas were less common (epidural, subdural, SAH) (3.2%). The procedures performed showed that in almost all children X-rays had been performed (99.7%). The most commonly X-rays performed were those of the head (craniogram) and/or cervical spine, followed by CT, EEG, ultrasound and NMR. The occurence of complications was recorded in only 2% of injured children (seizure, syncopa, febrile convulsions). Analysis of treatment methods showed that in most children (89.6%) therapy was conservative. The injured children were hospitalizated mostly for 2 days (34.5%) or 3 days (32.5%), while longer hospitalization was less common. Regarding extra consultation of other specialists (besides neurosurgeons), the most commonly consulted were pediatrician, surgeon/traumatologist, specialist of ENT/maxilofacial surgery, neuropediatrician, pediatric surgeon, ophthalmologist and others. It can be said that the prognosis of TBI in children depends on the age, neurological status and kind of injury, and on the quality of care, which involves availability of neurosurgeons and other specialists.

Reliability of CKD-EPI predictive equation in estimating chronic kidney disease prevalence in the Croatian endemic nephropathy area.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health problem and it is not possible to precisely predict its progression to terminal renal failure. According to current guidelines, CKD stages are classified based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria. Aims of this study were to determine the reliability of predictive equation in estimation of CKD prevalence in Croatian areas with endemic nephropathy (EN), compare the results with non-endemic areas, and to determine if the prevalence of CKD stages 3-5 was increased in subjects with EN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1573 inhabitants of the Croatian Posavina rural area from 6 endemic and 3 non-endemic villages were enrolled. Participants were classified according to the modified criteria of the World Health Organization for EN. Estimated GFR was calculated using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation (CKD-EPI). RESULTS: The results showed a very high CKD prevalence in the Croatian rural area (19%). CKD prevalence was significantly higher in EN then in non EN villages with the lowest eGFR value in diseased subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: eGFR correlated significantly with the diagnosis of EN. Kidney function assessment using CKD-EPI predictive equation proved to be a good marker in differentiating the study subgroups, remained as one of the diagnostic criteria for EN.

Education and Training for Major Incidents Through Medical Response to Major Incidents-MRMI course.

Incidence of major incidents nowadays is in constant growth, especially in last decade. Main goal of all health systems is to minimize and prevent tragic outcomes of major incidents, thus reducing morbidity and mortality and psychological and physical suffering. Lessons learned from Major Incidents throughout the World point out that tragical outcomes could be avoided through adequate preparation and planning. Necessity to plan and to educate to response to Major incident is greater than ever. Finally it is legal obligation that every hospital has plan in case of Major Incident. Effective planning must incorporate: identification of risks, methods of prevention, identification of all recourses, anticipation of errors and detailed protocol of response for each participant. Knowledge and skills needed for Major incident situations must be adopted through interactive training and practical exercise ("learning by doing"). That can be achieved by field exercises and by simulation model. Simulation model has many advantages and enables simultaneous education and training of all participants; scene, transport, hospitals, communication and command which than can be evaluated through objective outcomes. The goal is to train medical staff in real time, on position they are assigned to, with available resources in conditions of Major incident.

Traumatic optic neuropathy - to treat or to observe?

We present a case of acute traumatic optic neuropathy in 54 year old male patient. The patient presented with acute loss of vision in the right eye due to a blunt trauma to the eye. Lid haematoma and subconjunctival hemorrhage were present. Fluorescein staining was negative, anterior chamber and lens was clear. Intraocular pressure was normal. Retina and optic nerve head appeared normal on fundoscopy. The vision was "counting fingers at 1 meter" in the right eye. Color test indicated color perception dysfunction of the right eye. Relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) was positive. Ocular ultrasound, orbital X ray and CT scan was normal, but visual evoked potentials test was pathologic. The consideration was made whether to treat a patient or not since there are no consensus on the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy. We decided to treat the patient immediately with the megadoses of steroids following the protocol suggested by Cerovski. The patient responded well to the treatment and recovered vision to normal.

Laparoscopic transgastric gastrocystostomy pancreatic pseudocyst.

Article presents a laparoscopic cystogastrostomy of pancreatic pseudocysts. Pancreatic pseudocyst is a common complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis. It is treated by drainage. Until the development of laparoscopic method, the only surgical type of treatment was a drainage of pseudocyst into the stomach or intestine by the open surgery. In a recent years, a new procedures of laparoscopic treating of pseudocysts pancreatic were published. Despite of the small number of cases it is legible that this certain method of operative treatment has clear benefits for the patient. Herewith, we present a laparoscopic transgastric cystogastrostomy of the 44-year old woman who was admitted because of acute biliary pancreatitis. She was operated six months after the acute attack.

Non-invasive ultrasound guided compression repair of post puncture femoral pseudoaneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Pseudo aneurysm (PSA) of femoral artery is the second common post puncture complication. If PSA is less than 18 mm, it can be closed spontaneously and it can be asymptomatic. If not, it needs treatment. The most common non invasive method used in the treatment is ultrasound guided compression (UGC) with duplex color Doppler. In the treatment of PSA, other options are available, such as thrombin and collagen injection in the PSA sack, application of stent, but they are more invasive, with more complications than UGC. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study was performed in the period from 2005-2010. During this period, 4575 punctions of femoral artery were performed. Because of suspected PSA of femoral artery, we examined and diagnosed 28 PSA in the ward of ultrasound diagnostic. Data regarding the location and morphologic characteristics of PSA, morbid disease were documented. RESULTS: UGC was performed in 22 PSA patients, 12 men and 9 women, with average age of 48 years. 20 PSA were obliterated, while 2 remained persistent even after second attempt, and they were surgically treated. Efficacy of this method was 90%. Control examination was performed after 12 and 24 hours, and after 1 and 3 months. Intra- and after procedural complications were not observed. CONCLUSION: Non invasive treatment of PSA with UGC is cheap, efficient and easy to perform, with minor complications in well selected patients.

Laparoscopic appendectomy is safe procedure in the pregnant patients in second trimester.

Optimal approach to appendicitis in pregnancy remains controversial issue. There is also some concern that laparoscopy during pregnancy may cause fetal injury and alter fetal perfusion. Supporters of laparoscopy claim that minimally invasive approach even in pregnant state possesses several advantages, including fewer wound complications and less postoperative pain, producing faster return to normal activities and early hospital discharge, with no increased fetal risk. We present our series of pregnant patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy that shows that in the hands of an experienced surgeon, this method is a safe option in pregnant patients in the second trimester.

Succcessful laparoscopic treatment of cholecystoduodenal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystoduodenal fistula (CD) is a rare complication of gallstone disease. Laparoscopic stapling techniques have been reported as feasible methods for treating this fistula, however these procedures are not always performed successfully. We have reported five cases of CD diagnosed intraoperatively, managed successfully by laparoscopic approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the 3-year period, from 2007 to 2009, 1500 patients underwent LC for gallstone desease, five of them (3.3%), who presented with classic symptoms of symptomatic cholelithiasis, intraoperatively CD were found. Data were collected on patients' age, sex, pre-operative diagnoses, operative methods, morbidity and management. Laparoscopic surgery was performed using the standard three trocars technique. RESULTS: All patients were females, 67 years old on average. They had gallstones detected by abdominal ultrasound, but CD's were found during operative treatment of gallstones. In three cases CD was completely mobilized with a combination of blunt and sharp dissection and divided using the endoscopic linear stapling device. In the other two cases after division of the cystic duct and artery the gallbladder was dissected from the liver bed, leaving just the fistulous connection to the duodenum. Then division of the fistula was completed using the same stapling device. All five patients had uneventful postoperative course. The hospital stay of five patients ranged from 5 do 10 days (median 6 days). CONCLUSION: CD does not preclude a laparoscopic approach. With more experience and improved techniques, most of these cases could be performed laparoscopically, with all of the advan-tages of minimally invasive surgery.

Laparoscopic treatment of achalasia--first case in Croatia.

Esophageal achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder. Commonly used treatments are botulinum toxin injections, endoscopic balloon dilation and surgical myotomy with or without fundoplication. We are hereby presenting the first case of laproscopic myotomy with fundoplication performed in Croatia. A 32-year old female was admitted to the hospital due to the symptoms of dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain and weight loss. Upper gastrointestinal tract radiography with contrast and flexible endoscopy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of achalasia. She was treated by the Heller laparoscopic procedure and Dor anterior fundoplication. The patient had a successful recovery and was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. This case shows that laparoscopic treatment of achalasia is a feasibile and safe procedure which can be performed even in a small country hospital, but it requires great technical care and experience of the surgeon.

Spontaneous resolution of post-traumatic chronic subdural hematoma: case report.

Spontaneous resolution of post-traumatic chronic subdural hematoma is a very rare and unexpected event. It has been rarely reported in the literature, mostly cases of chronic subdural hematoma resolution in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Operative procedure is generally considered the treatment of choice for chronic subdural hematoma. We present a rare case, which did not require an open surgery, i.e. a case of post-traumatic chronic subdural hematoma spontaneous resolution in a 76-year-old female having sustained a fall without classic head injury. The possibility of conservative treatment is extremely rare in patients with chronic subdural hematoma, but it should be considered based on the patient's neurological and physical condition.

Treatment of common bile duct stones--is the role of ERCP changed in era of minimally invasive surgery?

UNLABELLED: In 10-15% of the patients that underwent cholecystectomy, common bile duct stones were found either during the preoperative, intraoperative or postoperative evaluation. Their treatment traditionally was based on open approach and extraction of calculi, with development of endoscopic procedures we have ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy, but due to rapid development of laparoscopic procedures now-days we have other therapeutic options such as laparoscopic transcystic extraction and laparoscopic choledohotomy. METHODS: During the period between 2007-2009 we treated 168 patients with common bile duct stones. Age range was 21-78 years, 105 female and 63 male patients. We have performed 47 open explorations, 9 laparoscopic transcystic exploration, as well as 112 ERCP and ES. We monitored the rate of success (%), intra- and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The success rate of the cases of open exploration was 95%, in 2 cases postoperative cholangiogram showed concrement residues that were successfully treated later on with ERCP+ES. Out of 9 transcystic LCBDE we have performed, in 4 cases extraction was successful, 3 patients underwent conversion into open exploration, and 2 patients were successfully treated with postoperative ERCP. A total of 69 patients were treated with ERCP and ES with the 82% success rate of stone extraction. CONCLUSION: Even though laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures have revolutionized treatment of common bile duct stones, the role of ERCP is not changed. Treatment in general hospital settings largely depends on availability of endoscopic and laparoscopic equipment and expertise, and must be individualized according to methods that are available. In our settings we have found that best summary of these demands are achieved by ERCP and laparoscopic approach.

Laparoscopic repair of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.

Diaphragm injuries are diagnosed in the acute phase of blunt trauma only in 10% of cases--more often they are presented as hernia. Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia presents unique obstacles to a minimal invasive approach. However, with the proper training and equipment, most of these hernias are amenable to laparoscopic approach. These patients can expect the same well-known benefits of laparoscopic approach. We report here the case of a 56-year-old man, admitted to hospital with symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain and dispnea who sustained blunt abdominal trauma in a high speed motor vehicle accident nine months ago. X-ray and CT scans confirmed suspected strangulated diaphragmatic hernia which contained stomach, colon, majoromentum and spleen in left hemithorax. The urgent laparoscopic procedure was performed--omentum, colon and stomach were taken backthrough diaphragmatic defect but the spleen was tightly fixed in thoracal cavity and splenectomy was performed. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired with interruptured sutures. This case proves that laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernia is effective, but this should be carried out with caution, sometimes it needs additional complex procedure in emergency setting like splenectomy in this case.