BACKGROUND Pain in the lower abdomen is one of the leading reasons that lead the patient in surgery. Although appendicitis is the most common cause in about two thirds of patients the other causes must be taken into account. OBJECTIVES To determine the probabilities which could determine what is an etiological cause of pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS comprised 102 patients hospitalized in general hospital Tesanj because the clinical symptoms dominated by acute pain in the lower abdomen. The study was retrospective prospective clinical study. All data were collected in a special database and statistically analyzed. RESULTS Of all the causes of abdominal pain in the lower abdomen the most common is appendicitis with a total of 62 patients, of which slightly more male patients (36) compared to female patients (26) or (57% male and 43% female patients). If we analyze the time elapsed from pain onset to patient visit of physician we can say that patient with more intense pain will visit physician sooner. Colic and intense pain is a characteristic of colon cancer (15 patients) and Crohn's disease. Dull pain is characteristic of omentum cyst, diverticulitis, and intestinal obstruction and was seen in one fifth of patients with colorectal cancer and one third of patients with acute appendicitis. Palpatory positive pain in Mc Burney's point distinguishes appendicitis from other causes in most cases. DISCUSSION The decision-making in the treatment of abdominal pain is depending of nature of pain, intensity, spreading, and sensitivity to palpation and localization of pain that usually indicates the place where the sick organ transmits the inflammatory process to the parietal peritoneum. Other symptoms that accompany pain and laboratory tests can be of crucial importance.

INTRODUCTION Emergency medicine is a new academic discipline, as well as a recent independent clinical specialization with the specific principles of practice, education and research. It is also a very important segment of the overall health care and health system. Emergency medicine as a distinct specialty was introduced in the U.S. in 1970. Ten years later and relatively quickly emergency medicine was introduced in the health system in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a specialty with a special education program for specialist and a final exam. GOAL Compare the development of emergency medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the trends of development of this discipline in the world as a specialization and an academic discipline. Identify specific problems and possible solutions and learn lessons from other countries. METHODS Reviewed are the literature data on the development of emergency medicine in the world, programs of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, the organizational scheme of emergency centers and residency. This is then compared with data of the current status of emergency medicine as an academic discipline and a recognized specialization, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. RESULTS There are substantial differences in the development of emergency medicine in the United States, European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although Bosnia and Herzegovina relatively early recognized specialty of emergency medicine in academia, it failed to mach the academic progress with the practical implementation. A&E departments in the Community Health Centers failed to meet the desired objectives even though they were led by specialists in emergency medicine. The main reason being the lack of space and equipment as well as staff needed to meet set standards of good clinical practice, education and research. Furthermore the Curriculum of undergraduate education and specialization does not match modern concept of educational programs that meet the principles set out in emergency medicine and learning through practice. CONCLUSION The Development of emergency medicine as a separate specialization and independent academic discipline has had different way and pace of development, and there is no ideal model that can be applied in all countries. However experiences from countries with well developed emergency medicine, suggest that the model of the simultaneous development of emergency medicine as a distinct academic discipline on independent recognized residencies with a strong national association is the best way for the formation of an efficient health system. The establishment of Emergency centers--departments for emergency medicine at university and cantonal hospitals, introduction of emergency medicine as an academic discipline, implementation of specific post-graduate teaching and continuing medical education through appropriate courses, as well as academic development program for the teaching staff is the most important element of future development of this discipline. It would also contribute to it achieving the appropriate status in both the academic institutions and in practice within the health system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Patients with eye problems are often present in family medicine and emergency wards, whether it is isolated disturbances of vision, or as part of other diseases. A large number of pathological entities of the eye require prompt and accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy before they get to specialized ophthalmological institutions. Ultrasonography of the eye is a simple, non-invasive, painless method that can be done at the first contact with patients and can provide very important information for accurate diagnosis of pathological changes. Early detection of retinal ablation, intra ocular bleeding and tumors by this method can save sight and lives of patients. Sonography of the eye in 667 patients over two years revealed 27 retinal ablation and hemophthalmos in 36 patients. Every fifth patient with retinal ablation was referred by a doctor of family medicine. Knowing the possibilities of ultrasonography in ophthalmology, teamwork at the level of primary health care can open access to ultrasonography of the eye for other specialty physicians which can improve population health and provide a new quality in the prevention of vision loss.

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute lower abdominal pain. However, there are other diseases that can cause pain and mimic acute appendicitis. Some of these conditions are treated surgically; however, some of them should be treated conservatively. Therefore, the treatment of diseases associated with a number of decisions made by doctors and patients. The decision making is divided into three levels. At the first level, the patient and his family are to decide that patient should go to visit physician. At the second level is a physician in primary health care, who decides whether a patient deserves conservative or operative treatment. If he think that it is necessary to forward patient to the hospital, the other specialist: surgeons, urologists and gastroenterologists are involved in the decision making process. At the third level are decisions about the future treatment of the patient. The patient can be sent to home treatment, control exam could be appointed, patient cold be operated or observed. For decision making process physicians use information collected from patient’s history, physical examination of patients, laboratory tests and radiological examinations.

One of the most common causes of acute pain in the lower abdomen is appendicitis and covers almost two thirds of the total number of hospitalized patients. The survey included all patients who have pain in lower abdomen and came to the review at the Polyclinic Doboj-South and General Hospital Tesanj during 24 working hours. The sample consisted of 101 patients hospitalized at the General Hospital Tesanj with the clinical picture dominated by acute pain in the lower abdomen. Taken into account are all relevant clinical parameters necessary for establishing rapid etiological diagnosis of acute lower abdominal pain. So we can say that appendicitis has the following characteristics: pain is gradual, increasing in duration from 8 to 16 h, localized in the lower right quadrant, or begins in the epigastrium and is descending into the lower right quadrant and spreading in a large percentage of proximal dorsal and then the inner part of the thigh. Accompanied by nausea, vomiting, with a statistically significant increase in leukocyte levels over 10000 and pathological findings in urine. The difference between rectal and axillary temperature was statistically significant. Palpatory positive painful in Mc Burney spot. Patients are usually younger than 30 years.

INTRODUCTION Hepatic resection is the accepted treatment for various liver tumors. Increasing evidence suggests that two factors significantly influence outcome and successfulness of the hepatic resection in patients with HCC in cirrhosis. There are liver function recovery and the degree of inflammation during early postoperative period. OBJECTIVE Aim of this study was to determine whether probiotic use influences on liver function recovery, degree of inflammation during early postoperative period, intraoperative risk, type and frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications, morbidity, intraoperative and early postoperative mortality and a one-year survival rate in patients who have been used probiotic, and underwent the hepatic resection due to HCC in cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Study was conducted on 120 patients underwent the hepatic resection due to HCC in cirrhosis. This study has been done in University Clinical Centers Tuzla, Maribor and Strasbourg from October 2006 till February 2008. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) patients with liver cirrhosis and histologically verified HCC whom underwent liver resection surgery (segmentectomy/ bisegmenctetomy, right and left hemihepatectomy/extended hemihepatectomy) that used preoperatively and postoperatively probiotics (n = 60), 2) a control group of patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC, which did not use preoperative and postoperative probiotics (N = 60). Treatment with probiotics was conducted 3 days preoperatively and postoperatively with 7 day's oral supplementation. RESULTS This study have shown next: patients underwent to the hepatic resection due to HCC in cirrhosis who have been used preoperatively and postoperatively probiotic had liver function recovery better and faster, acute immune response better, serum level of tumor markers lower, intraoperative and postoperative complications were less frequent, and morbidity and mortality rates were lower than in those who have not been using probiotic. CONCLUSION Probiotic use may make liver function recovery better and increases immune response in early postoperative period and positively influences outcome and successfulness of the hepatic resection in patients with HCC in cirrhosis.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED PAPERAIM SUMMARY. The development of the digital Information Communication Technology (ICT) has definitely changed healthcare system in all its areas. The development of standardized electronic medical record (EMR) make possible other forms of E-Health like transmural care, telemedicine etc. In this paper was described Health Information System (HIS) of Tuzla Canton and Brčko DC (whose citizens gravitate toward Tuzla Clinical Center). Tuzla Clinical Center is the only Clinic for tertiary healthcare in this region. To estimate level and types of the HIS, telecommunications and information management we have designed questionnaire. Based on this research we have presented current state of E-Health in Canton and the most important problems in this area. Also, based on this research and our experiences, we have identified the main directions of the HIS development, its standardization and integration as the base for E-Heath in Bosnia.

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a method of choice for chronic gallbladder calculus. Surgeon’s experience and sophistication of the work method itself have brought a number of advantages in comparison to open cholecystectomy (OC). Particularly, the advantage corresponds to decreased immune response of the organism on surgical stress. The aim of this study was to define the level of surgical stress through immune response of the organism on stress. Patients and Methods: One hundred patients were involved in the study, 50 of whom were treated by LC method and the other 50 by open method. The patients were of middle age group, between 47 and 57 years of age, mostly female. C-reactive protein was studied as one of the parameters of the organism’s immune response during LC and OC, and also a number of leucocytes, erythrocytes, haemoglobin and hematocrit after LC and OC procedures. C-reactive protein is a biochemical marker, as an organism’s response to stress and the aim of this study is to confirm the CRP values during surgical treatment of chronic calculus of the gallbladder through different surgical methods: conventional or open surgery and laparoscopic surgery which is considered less invasive. Number and frequency of intra-operative and post-operative complications during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy were also compared. The erythrocytes, haemoglobin and hematocrit and leucocytes, were also determined in both groups of patients with the aim to confirm the hypothesis that the laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a less invasive method compared to the classic or open method. Results and Discussion: The results have confirmed the hypothesis that the laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgical method is less invasive and showed that the value of CRP is much less in post-operative period after LC than OC. In this way, decreased immunological response of the organism on the surgical laparoscopic procedure were confirmed in this study. Decreased value of leucocytes was determined in laparoscopic technique in the post-operative period in comparison to open technique. The number of erythrocytes, hematocrots and haemoglobin were not significantly different in the post-operative period during LC and OC. Complications such as bleeding, bile leakage, subphrenic abscess, post-operative pancreatitis, post-operative wound infection, hernias of post-operative sections and keloid were present more in OC than in LC. Conclusion: Inflammation of early protective homeostatic immune response on post-operative wound characterises the production of C-reactive protein as one of the activities of cellular and humoral mechanisms. This comparative study between laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in light of immune response of the organism to stress, number and type of intra-operative and post-operative complications, confirmed advantages of laporascopic technique in comparison to open method.

Objective To establish an optimal age threshold for endoscopy referral in patients with simple uninvestigated dyspepsia in the setting of European developing country (Bosnia and Herzegovina) with low availability and high workload of endoscopy units. Methods We reviewed patient information on all upper endoscopies performed during a 6-year period (2000–2005). Different age thresholds were evaluated in terms of their predictive power for absence of malignancy. Results A total of 82 of 4403 (1.86%) dyspeptic patients had upper gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy. Age cutoffs of 40 years for men and 45 years for women had the best predictive power, without any cases of upper GI malignancies below those thresholds. Age cutoffs of 45 years for men and 50 years for women also had excellent negative predictive values (99.7 and 99.9%, respectively) with 1.45 and 0.98 cases of missed upper GI malignancies per 1000 endoscopies, respectively. A total of 1709 of 4403 (38.8%) of endoscopies might have been avoided in men of less than 45 and women of less than 50 with uninvestigated dyspepsia. Conclusion (i) Age thresholds for endoscopy referral are lower than in Western countries and should be different for men and women. (ii) Cutoff values of 40 and 45 years for men and women, respectively, are completely safe to use. (iii) Thresholds of 45 years for males and 50 years for females have a small level of risk of missing upper GI malignancy, but are acceptable to use in areas of low availability of endoscopy.

Background: Accurate estimations of hepatitis B virus transmission risk for any region in Bosnia and Herzegovina are not clearly established. We aimed to determine levels of risk associated with intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis B infection within families in our region. Patients and Methods: Family members of 81 chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (>6 months positive and considered as index case) were tested for hepatitis B markers. For family members, we recorded their age, sex, and family relationship to the index case, and vaccination status. Results: The proportion of HBsAg positive family members was 25/207 (12.1%), while the proportion of family members with evidence of exposure to HBV was 80/207 (38.6%). Only 17/207 (8.2%) family members had evi--dence of past HBV vaccination. Age was found to be a significant predictor of HBV exposure of family members (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07, P< .001). In a multivariate analysis, HBsAg positivity was associated with a female index case (odds ratio 11.31, 95% CI 3.73-34.32, P< .001), HBeAg positivity in the index case (odds ratio 5.56, 95% CI 1.80-17.23, P< .005) and being a mother of the index case (odds ratio 9.82, 95% CI 2.43-39.68,P< .005). A female index case (odds ratio 4.87, 95% CI 2.21-10.72, P< .001), HBeAg positivity in the index case (odds ratio 3.22, 95% CI 1.15-9.00, P< .05) and being a mother of the index case (odds ratio 3.72, 95% CI 1.19-11.64, P< .05) were also risk factors for HBV exposure among family members. The combination of HBeAg positivity and female index case was a significant predictor for HBsAg positivity of family members (odds ratio 70.39, 95% CI 8.20-604.61, P< .001). Conclusions: Children of HBeAg positive mothers are at highest risk for becoming chronic carriers them--selves and generally, the combination of female sex and HBeAg positivity dramatically increases the chances of HBV transmission within the family.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a lifelong disease arising from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors, but seen predominantly in the developed countries of the world. The precise etiology is unknown and therefore a causal treatment is not yet available. Fistulating Crohn's disease includes fistulas arising in the perianal area, together with those communicating between the intestine and other organs or the abdominal wall. Non perianal fistulas include fistulas communicating with other viscera (urinary bladder, vagina), loops of intestine (enteroenteral fistulas) or the abdominal wall (enterocutaneus fistulas). The diagnostic approach is a crucial aspect in the management of fistulating CD as the findings influence the therapeutic strategy. Short bowel syndrome caused by extensive bowel resection should be initially treated with nutritional support and can caused serious treatment and reevaluating problems. We review this uncommon manifestation in a high risk patient after multiple operations and severely shortened bowel and also with non perianal fistulating CD.

INTRODUCTION Etiological factors of community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI) are specific for age, gender, season, complication of UTI and type of UTI. Their prevalence and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents shows geographic and time variability. PURPOSE To evaluate etiological characteristics of acute community-acquired UTI in hospitalised patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective-prospective study included 200 adult patients with community-acquired UTI who were, in view of the serious clinical picture and unsuccessful ambulatory treatment, hospitalised in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Tuzla, for a period of two years (2006 and 2007). The data concerning the age, gender, season, complication of UTI and type of UTI were collected from the patient's records. Urine analysis was done following standard microbiological methods, and the antibiogram was done following standard disc-diffusion method on the Mueller-Hinton agar. WORK RESULTS The dominant etiological factors of UTI were: E. coli (73.5%), Klebsiella spp. (8.5%), Proteus mirabilis (5.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.5%) and Enterococcus faecalis (3%). The predominant etiological factor of this UTI was E. coli (P < 0.0001). E. coli was significantly more frequent etiological factor of UTI in females (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the frequency between etiological factors of UTI for different age groups of patients (P = 0.173), or for different seasons (P > 0.05). All etiological factors are significantly more frequent during warmer periods of the year (P < 0.05). E. coli is a significantly more frequent etiological factor in complicated and non-complicated pyelonephrytis and cystourethritis (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference of frequency between etiological factors of prostatitis (P = 0.7163). By analyzing the susceptibility for antimicrobials, we found that E. coli has good susceptibility for Cephalosporins of the third generation, for Gentamycin, Nitrofurantoin, Norfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin and Pipemidin acid (susceptibility higher than 88.7%), Klebsiella spp. for Imipenem and Meropenem (susceptibility 100%), Proteus mirabilis for Imipenem (susceptibility 100%) and relatively for Amikacin (susceptibility 81.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa for Imipenem (susceptibility 100%) and for Meropenem (susceptibility 87.5%) and Enterococcus faecalis for Vancomycin (susceptibility 100%) and relatively for Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Doxicyclin and Nitrofurantoin (susceptibility 83.4%). CONCLUSION Etiological characteristics of UTI are specific for different regions. Evaluation of these characteristics in our region is the basis for empirical antimicrobial therapy of UTI, which is necessary for a timely and successful treatment of UTI.

Technical systems for endoscopy diagnostics are suitable for application of computer technology. Endoscopic methods can make use of hardware-software packages for the digitalization of images, after which it is possible to store and subsequently analyze, as well as transfer pictures to the local information and communication systems. After installation of these packages follow up of the examination is on the computer monitor, and the examination of patient receives the additional quality and speed. Endoscopic methods enable provision of following functions: Entering basic demographic data about patients, Following use of material, invoice production, etc. Recording video in real time, Review of existing material, image analysis, sequences, Image processing and printing preparation, Creation of own interface, or appearance of doctor’s reports, Data back-up from the software, recording on CD or DVD media,Conversion into any format and recording of data directly on CD or DVD, Easy access to previous patients examinations, Statistical data analysis. analysis and interpretation as basis for writing scientific and professional articles, Networking possibilities with other users. Special advantages for users of these methods are: Safer work for doctors and patients, Application of teleeducation system in process of knowledge transfer to the large number of participants (video conferences, workshops with transfer of “live” image and immediate analysis and comments) Functional dynamic analysis, Possibility for additional consultation or teleconsultation with other experts, Possibility to send image on distance using internet. Imaging views from endoscope, radiological (CT, MRI) or ultrasound obtained during the examination of the patients can be stored on appropriate media. In radiology and gastroenterology used are Pacs / Ris (System for archiving and communicating through images/ Radiology information system) systems. It is a system for work with images, and their purpose is to exclude use of films and start digital data processing. With this project, it is possible to transfer complete series of recordings with modalities such as CT, MRI, and diascopy, endoscopy ultrasound, to a system for archiving and communications, and after that all doctors who are in the network can view the images, give their opinions and seek the opinions of colleagues. This kind of software allows the processing and postprocesing (analysis) of recordings with the help of appropriate tools–zoom, filtering, invert, three-dimensional reconstruction, etc., all with the goal of more accurate diagnosis when viewing recordings. Such analysis is particularly important in the preparation or during the surgeries, and three-dimensional reconstruction of the liver is particularly important in preparation for transplantation. Network access is possible from any networked computer. With this software it is possible to seek via Internet the opinion of radiologists or gastroenterologist from

INTRODUCTION Special attention needs to be given to resolution of obesity problem among children because many studies indicate that majority of persons that have suffered from obesity during their child age still have the same problems when they become adults. Incorrect nutritional habits cause health problems at later age. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of overweight and obesity occurrence among school-age children, as well as risk factors that certainly lead to obesity. METHODS This research was conducted on sample of 530 pupils from one elementary school from suburban area. Assessed children were from seven to fourteen years old. Anthropometric measurements were taken and questionnaires and general medical examinations followed with the statistical processing of collected data. RESULTS Based on the Body Mass Index (BMI) considering age and gender of examined subjects we have found that 14.7% subjects were overweight and 7.3% of children were obese. Also, we have determined that children often use food that is identified as risk factor for obesity. Overweight and obesity are directly related to amount of time spent in front of TV set or personal computer (p = 0.01). Children that were overweight in 57.1% cases would prefer to change their nutritional habits and 68.4% of obese children would like to do so as well. Children that were obese, in high percent would like to change habits regarding their physical activity (57.9% of them) and overweight children in 33.8% cases. CONCLUSION It is necessary to encourage young people to develop healthy nutritional habits, to promote physical activity and sports, and definitely to strongly advice against the sedentary lifestyle. It is crucial to educate parents on healthy nutritional habits and physical activity because they have the strongest influence on their children. Also, effort needs to be taken in schools by increasing number of physical education classes and to provide healthy food in school canteens in order to ensure improvement of physical activity and healthy nutritional habits among children.