Background/Aim: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer of the skin. It is believed that increased UV radiation from the sun accounts for almost 90 % of the risk of BCC. There is a growing trend in the incidence of BCC in a younger population. The aim of study was to analyse the initial clinical symptoms of BCC that may be important for the early detection of this skin tumour. Method: The study was a prospective, multicentre study performed in the period from March 2017 to February 2022. A total of 69 respondents with BCC were analysed. Respondents applied for a targeted examination to examine a suspicious skin lesion (due to certain symptoms) or were diagnosed with BCC by accident, when examining other skin changes. Respondents were divided into 2 groups. The first, Group I (35 respondents), consisted of respondents with nodular BCC. The second, Group II (34 respondents), consisted of respondents with superficial spreading BCC. Initially, a careful history and data on the characteristics, shape and character of the tumour were taken from all respondents. Data on all (even the smallest) initial symptoms and relevant signs of evolution, as well as subjective problems related to the tumour were noted. All respondents underwent dermoscopy of suspected skin changes. Results: A significant difference was found between the examined groups in the characteristics of bleeding, crust formation and tendency to injury in lesions, where they occur more often in patients with nodular BCC. Symptoms such as burning and flaking occurred significantly more often in patients with superficial spreading BCC (p < 0.01), as well as the diameter of lesions over 5 mm (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Early clinical diagnosis of BCC is possible with a tumour diameter of only a few mm. The predominant initial (highly susceptible) symptoms of nodular BCC were initial bleeding and / or scab formation on the lesions, as well as propensity to injury. The superficial spreading form of BCC was often larger than 5 mm in diameter, with more frequent scaling of the lesion, as well as burning and stinging sensations in the tumour area. Itching was observed to be a very common previous occurrence in the BCC initial focus zone in subjects of both study groups. Dermsocopy is a highly reliable diagnostic method for early detection of BCC.

INTRODUCTION Recent information on tortuosity in the prevertebral (V1) segment of the vertebral artery is based on case reports rather than systematic data on its presence, types, diameters, and sex- or left-right differences.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) treatment, ie, stem cells, directly depends on the SVF cell count and their viability. The SVF cell count and viability are in direct correlation with adipose tissue harvesting site which yields SVF cells, thus making contribution to developing Tissue Guidance. OBJECTIVES To investigate the importance of harvesting subcutaneous adipose tissue-derived SVF cells on the concentration and viability of SVF. METHODS Adipose tissue was collected by vibration assisted liposuction, from the regions of the upper and lower abdomen, lumbar region and inner thigh region. Using the semi-automatic UNISTATION 2nd Version system (NeoGenesis, Seoul, South Korea), the obtained fat was chemically processed (collagenase enzyme) and a concentrate of SVF cells was obtained by centrifugation. These samples were then analyzed using the Luna-Stem Counter device (Logos Biosystems; Gyeonggi-do, South Korea) to measure the number and viability of SVF cells. RESULTS The highest concentration of SVF, comparing the regions of the upper abdomen, lower abdomen, lumbar, and inner thigh, was found in the lumbar region, specifically at 97498.00 per 1.0 ml of concentrate. The lowest concentration was found in the upper abdomen region. By ranking the viability values, the highest cell viability of SVF was observed in the lumbar region, measuring 36.6200%. The lowest viability was found in the upper abdomen region, measuring 24.4967%. CONCLUSIONS By comparing the upper and lower abdomen regions, lumbar and upper thigh regions, the authors have come to the conclusion that, on average, the largest number of cells and their viability was obtained from the lumbar region.

Leser-Trélat (LT) sign (syndrome) is a rare, distinctive clinical phenomenon that is manifested by a sudden, eruptive, appearance of multiple itchy seborrheic keratoses (SK) that sometimes coincide with occult malignancy. A 73-year-old patient came for examination of numerous, large seborrheic keratoses (SK) on the skin. According to the patient's statement, SK did not occur suddenly and "eruptively". Nevertheless, ultrasound and endoscopic evaluation were suggested to the patient to exclude the Leser-Trélat phenomenon. The patient was then diagnosed with an occult, asymptomatic rectal neoplasm. The occurrence of numerous seborrheic keratoses (especially if they are "eruptive", large and bizarre in shape), should raise suspicion of LT phenomenon, or internal malignancy in the patient, and result in relevant diagnostic procedures to detect possible latent malignancy. It would be wise for the doctors of all disciplines to be acquainted with the existence of the LT sign (syndrome) and possible clinical implications of it.

Introduction/Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the immunohistochemical features of the vascularization of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), as well as the quantification of capillaries within the three segments of the ACL; proximal, middle and distal. The quantification and metric characteristics of mast cells of the ACL are the second goal of this research. Methods. Thirty human ACL of 30 persons, obtained during routine autopsy, were examined under the microscope, following immunohistochemical reactions against CD34 of blood vessels and MastTrip of mast cells. Results The middle genicular artery (MGA) close to the ACL gave off branches for the supply of ligament itself. Each field of mm2 contained an average number of 1113.84 (959-1240), microvessels in ACL proximal third, an average number of 1145.43 (924-1310) microvessels in ACL middle third, and an average number of 1134.55 (889 to 1451) microvessels in ACL distal third. An average number of mast cells of the ACL was 3.8 per mm2. In the peripheral synovial zone of the ACL we counted 12.6 mast cells per mm2. An average area value of the mast cells was 124.7 ?m2, and an average value of shorter and longer axis of the mast cells was 11.2 x 15.0 ?m. Conclusion. There was no statistically significant differences between the average numbers of intraligamentous microvessels of the ACL thirds (p>0.05), confirming and supporting our hypothesis of uniform distribution of blood supply within the ACL.

Abstract Background: In the last few decades, many techniques have been developed to correct prominent ear deformities. Modified Chong-Chet otoplasty represents a new and improved classical Chong-Chet procedure for prominent ear surgery. This study evaluates and compares the long-term results of standard Chong-Chet otoplasty with the modified technique. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing otoplasty at the Special Hospital S-tetik Banja Luka between January 17, 2017, and February 5, 2019. The total number of patients undergoing the procedure was 129. The first group (48 patients) underwent otoplasty using the Chong-Chet technique, while the second group (81 patients) underwent a modified Chong-Chet procedure. All patients were randomly selected on the condition that the antihelix was absent. The data were processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24 using nonparametric tests (χ2 test, Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test). Results: Every second patient was satisfied (19 patients were partially satisfied and five patients were completely satisfied) with the results of the classical Chong-Chet technique. Seven patients were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, while 17 patients were dissatisfied (11 patients were completely dissatisfied and 6 patients were mostly dissatisfied). As for the modified method, on average, nine out of 10 patients (73 or 90.1%) were satisfied, of which 49 patients (60.5%) were completely satisfied and 24 patients (29.6%) were mostly satisfied. The statistical significance was P < .05. Research results point to the modified Chong-Chet technique being a significant improvement to the classical method. Conclusion: Modified Chong-Chet technique increases the number of positive long-term results and significantly improves the standard method.

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.

Introduction: Until recently, gastric cancer represented the most common visceral neoplasm. In Japan, the prevalence of disease is 58.4 per 100,000 inhabitants for men and 29.9 for women. Here, the incidence is lower. Gastrectomy is the most common surgical method of treating carcinomas of the stomach. Aim of the Study: To determine which method of reconstruction after gastrectomy improves the quality of life optimally. Patients and Methods: We analyzed 221 patient operated on for gastric cancer at the Surgical Clinic of the University Clinical Center in Banja Luka, and the subject of a detailed analysis of the 111 patients who were operated with the intention of achieving curability. Results: Reflux esophagitis is dominant modality in reconstruction wth omega loop (p <0.05). Analyzing GIQLI, we found dominant modality GIQLI II in the total gastrectomy and reconstruction options RY, while predominantly GIQLI III was registered in HLR reservoir reconstruction method (p <0.01). And two hours after the ingestion of a meal labeled with a radioisotope Tc99m in artificial gastric reservoir (HLR) showed signs of radioactivity (about 10% amount). “H0 performance” (AJCC / UICC) was the most frequently recorded in subtotal gastrectomy, while there was significant appearance of “H1” and “H2” modalities with the total gastrectomy statistically. In RY reconstruction, statistically significant was participation modalities “H1”, while “H1” performance (AJCC / UICC) was the dominant modality at the HLR options reconstruction with statistically significant frequency of occurrence (p <0.01). Conclusion: The results of the assessment of quality of life are comparable with the results of other statistical series. They confirm antireflux component Roux en Y reconstructions and its intestinoplications and highlight the advantage of the nutritional components loop modifications (creation pouch-a).

Background: To prove the frequency of thrombocytosis in patients with cancer, and the importance of anticoagulant therapy. Thrombocytosis represents an elevated platelet count of more than 350,000/mm 3 which is one of the risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Methods: This study has analyzed 146 patients who were hospitalized at the Oncology Clinic of the University Clinical Centre, Banja Luka and the Day Oncology Hospital “S.tetik”, Banja Luka in the period between 2009 and 2014. These were patients with breast tumor, gastrointestinal or gynecological malignancies. Thrombocytosis was detected in 38 patients in the moment of diagnosing. All examinees were analyzed by sex, age, primary site of tumor, presence of comorbidity, relevant laboratory analyses, clinical stage of the disease (metastatic or localized disease). Results: In the observed sample of 146 patients, thrombocytosis was detected in 38 patients in the moment of diagnosing the disease (26%). Through the follow-up, DVT (deep venous thrombosis) was found in 13 patients (34.2%) and anticoagulant therapy was administered. Out of patients who were not on anticoagulant therapy because they had no thrombotic manifestations (25 patients, 65.8%), 2 ended up experiencing the development of a clinical presentation of massive pulmonary embolism with fatal outcome. Conclusions: The occurrence of thromboembolism significantly increases morbidity and mortality, as well as the total cost of treating cancer patients. Regardless of the fact that cancer patients are at a high risk of thromboembolic events, thromboembolic prophylaxis has not been adopted as a standard therapeutic modality because of potential bleeding.