Diverticulum of the stomach

Gastric diverticula are very rare and usually asymptomatic diseases. Clinical symptoms may include haemorrhage, mild discomfort and pain in upper abdomen. They are most frequently diagnosed incidentally during X-Ray examinations. In symptomatic diverticulum of gastric fundus was diagnosed roentgenographically and endoscopically and was successfully cured surgically.     

Vaginoplasty in male to female sex change operations

Vaginoplasty presents the main procedure in one-stage male to female sex reassignment surgery. Our new vagina consist of two parts: a long vascularized urethral flap and a pedicled island tube skin flap serrated from the penile skin. The urethral segment of the vagina plays a major role, giving the vagina depth, width and providing moisture. In the period from January 1989 to August 1995, 89 patients aged 18 to 56 years underwent surgery. The follow-up ranged from 3 months to 6 years (mean 4.1 years). Satisfactory cosmetic and functional results were obtained in 86% of cases.     

Angiographic analysis of the tensor fascia lata vascularized flap

Vascularisation of the flap of tensor fasciae latae originates from the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery which enters through the medial side of fascia lata tensor as a dominant branch. Knowing the vascular and characteristics of a vascular peduncle is of great importance while taking the flap, so knowing the site of the source of lateral circumflex femoral artery diameter at the source, the number of the terminal branches and the number of ascending branch anastomoses of lateral circumflex femoral artery are the basic significance for successful taking of the flap and its clinical application. Our investigations were done on clinical material, and the study was based on investigations of angiographies of the femoral artery. Measuring the diameter in the source of ascending branch we found that it was 33 mm while the diameter in the bifurcation of the terminal branches of ascending branch was 2.41 mm in average. The length of vascular peduncle of ascending branch was 68.88 mm in average. Vascular peduncle of the flap of tensor fasciae latae has appropriate length and diameter for microvascular anastomosis.     

Surgical treatment of toxic adenoma

In the period ranging from 1985. to 1994. a total number of 86 patients have been treated for toxic adenoma (TA). Hyperthyroidism was more often present in males (70.83% versus 51.61%) and in enlarged adenomas (more then 2 cm in diameter). Pathohistologic type of adenoma influenced degenerative changes. Three carcinoma have been observed, two papillary and one follicular. Surgical treatment is the method of choice. Complications are rare (3.49%) and mild.     

Overview of the surgical importance of variations in the hepatic artery

Hepatobiliary and gastric surgery greatly depend upon knowledge and recognition of origin, relations and course of the hepatic artery. This paper presents the main variants of the arterial vessels in the hepatoduodenal ligament, with a concise review on their clinical relevance. Special attention was drawn to the aberrant hepatic arteries, which are found in nearly half of the cases, and to the macro- and microvasculature of the common bile duct.     

Local interferon therapy for lip carcinoma

In a prospective non-randomized study 21 patients with lower lip squamous cell carcinoma were treated with human natural leukocyte interferon (HNLI). The response rate was measured by a size reduction of more than 25% and was 81%. A complete response rate was considered to be a cure according to histopathological and clinical findings and was 48%. The response rate of six lower lip squamous cell carcinoma cases treated with recombinant interferon alpha 2c was 67% and the complete response rate was 17%. Three patients with basal cell carcinoma of the upper lip were also treated with HNLI. All three patients were cured, as determined by histopathological and clinical findings. These findings indicate that interferon can be a useful alternative therapy for lip carcinoma either with or without surgery.     

Iodine prophylaxis and nuclear accidents

Due to high volatility and environmental mobility, radioactive isotopes of iodine pose a serious risk in the acute phases of a nuclear accident. The critical organ for iodine is the thyroid. A number of studies dealing with thyroid protection from exposure to radioiodine have shown that radioiodine uptake by the thyroid can be effectively blocked by administration of stable iodine, usually in the form of potassium iodide (KI) pills. However, unless perfectly timed, this protective action may be counterproductive. The International Atomic Energy Agency recommends potassium iodide prophylaxis in cases when an avertable thyroid dose by protective action exceeds 100 mGy. This paper reviews experiences and practices with potassium iodide in the thyroid protection. This kind of information should serve as the basis for discussion and decision making on KI prophylactic programmes in nuclear emergency situations in Croatia. If Croatia adopts such programme, it will still have to develop the most effective way of KI stockpiling and distribution or predistribution.     

Shiftwork and quality of life

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life of shiftworkers and non-shiftworkers. Satisfaction with various aspects of life and the overall satisfaction were examined by means of the Quality of Life Scale. A total number of 107 chemical industry workers participated in the study, of whom 56 worked shifts and 51 worked regular hours. The results revealed that the average satisfaction with the present job and financial status was lower in shiftworkers than in the non-shiftworkers (P < 0.05). The differences in the two predictors of life quality did not affect the overall satisfaction with life in either group.     

Ochratoxin A in blood of healthy population in Zagreb

Healthy blood donors from the city of Zagreb were checked for the presence of a nephrotoxic mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) in the plasma. Samples of blood were collected in June, September, and December 1997, and March 1998, totalling 200 or 50 in each round. The concentrations of OTA were measured using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method (detection limit 0.2 ng OTA/ml of plasma). The frequency of OTA-positive samples (> 0.2 ng/ml of plasma) showed significant seasonal variation (P < 0.001). The frequency of OTA-positive samples was the highest in March (65%) and it gradually decreased towards December (12%). The high frequency of positive samples coincided with seasons favouring growth of moulds and production of toxins. The daily intake of OTA by healthy persons in Zagreb was estimated from the mean concentration of OTA in samples collected during the whole year (0.19 ng OTA/ml plasma). The estimated daily intake was 0.26 ng/kg b.w., that is, substantially below the tolerable daily intake proposed by World Health Organization (16.0 ng/kg b.w.).     

Comparison of two methods using atomic absorption spectrometry for determination of selenium in food

This study describes and compares two methods of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for the selenium (Se) analysis in food: electrothermal AAS (ET AAS) and hydride generation method of AAS (HG AAS). The accuracy of the two methods was established by analysing two biological reference materials: Wheat Flour 1567a and Bovine Liver 1577b from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA. Good agreement with certified values was obtained for both methods. The accuracy of ET AAS method is 109% and 103% for Wheat Flour and Bovine Liver, respectively. The respective accuracies for HG AAS method were 88% and 87%. The detection limit obtained for ET AAS was 1 microgram Se/L and for HG AAS 0.02 microgram Se/L. The repeatability of ET AAS method was 5-11% and that of HG AAS 14-17%. Both methods are similar in accuracy and repeatability, but hydride generation (HG AAS) is more sensitive than graphite furnace technique (ET AAS) for determination of selenium in food.