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Seven different models are applied to the same problem of simulating the Sun's coronal magnetic field during the solar eclipse on 2015 March 20. All of the models are non-potential, allowing for free magnetic energy, but the associated electric currents are developed in significantly different ways. This is not a direct comparison of the coronal modelling techniques, in that the different models also use different photospheric boundary conditions, reflecting the range of approaches currently used in the community. Despite the significant differences, the results show broad agreement in the overall magnetic topology. Among those models with significant volume currents in much of the corona, there is general agreement that the ratio of total to potential magnetic energy should be approximately 1.4. However, there are significant differences in the electric current distributions; while static extrapolations are best able to reproduce active regions, they are unable to recover sheared magnetic fields in filament channels using currently available vector magnetogram data. By contrast, time-evolving simulations can recover the filament channel fields at the expense of not matching the observed vector magnetic fields within active regions. We suggest that, at present, the best approach may be a hybrid model using static extrapolations but with additional energization informed by simplified evolution models. This is demonstrated by one of the models.

Solar eruptions are the main driver of space-weather disturbances at the Earth. Extreme events are of particular interest, not only because of the scientific challenges they pose, but also because of their possible societal consequences. Here we present a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the 14 July 2000 "Bastille Day" eruption, which produced a very strong geomagnetic storm. After constructing a "thermodynamic" MHD model of the corona and solar wind, we insert a magnetically stable flux rope along the polarity inversion line of the eruption's source region and initiate the eruption by boundary flows. More than 10 33 ergs of magnetic energy are released in the eruption within a few minutes, driving a flare, an EUV wave, and a coronal mass ejection (CME) that travels in the outer corona at ≈1500 km s -1 , close to the observed speed. We then propagate the CME to Earth, using a heliospheric MHD code. Our simulation thus provides the opportunity to test how well in situ observations of extreme events are matched if the eruption is initiated from a stable magnetic-equilibrium state. We find that the flux-rope center is very similar in character to the observed magnetic cloud, but arrives ≈8.5 hours later and ≈ 15° too far to the North, with field strengths that are too weak by a factor of ≈ 1.6. The front of the flux rope is highly distorted, exhibiting localized magnetic-field concentrations as it passes 1 AU. We discuss these properties with regard to the development of space-weather predictions based on MHD simulations of solar eruptions.

Introduction: Greek physician Oribasius from Pergamum (today's Bergama in western Turkey) (c. 320-400) was one of the most important physicians and personalities of his time., The Life and Career: Oribasisus studied medicine at Alexandria. Although he was the personal physician and friend of the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate, and a very important political figure of that period, he has been remembered as a most important medical writer and historian of medicine., Medical Writing: His major work, written in 70 books (only 25 of these survived), was the "Collectiones Medicae" which contains massive compilation of excerpts (epitomai) from the writings of older medical writers of the ancient world. Later on, he produced the "Synopsis for Eustathius" (Synopseos ad Eustathium) for his son Eustathius, who was also a physician. Oribasius dedicated a large work to his friend, the philosopher Eunapius: "Libri ad Eunapium", a kind of medical encyclopaedia in four volumes with a collection of easily procured medicines compiled for laymen. Several more of his writings are known to have been entirely lost. The works of Oribasius were translated in Latin as early as the fifth century, and later, in the medieval times his books were published in Europe (the "Synopsis for Eustathius" was published in 1554), while the critical edition of his works translated from Greek texts was published in Germany in 1926-1933., Commentary and Conclusion: The special importance of the Oribasius' works is that they have preserved a number of excerpts from many medical authors of antiquity whose writings would otherwise have been lost. Besides, these extracts (epitomai) were not entirely verbatim, they were looked upon critically and sorted out in an encyclopaedic manner. Because of that Oribasius is rightly considered to be the first writer of a medical encyclopaedia in the history of medicine.

Prof. dr Borivoje Gradojevic was one of the greatest figures of our medicine, and one of the pioneers and founders of orthopedic surgery in our country. He was the first professor of orthopedic surgery in Serbia ie. the professor of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine. Beside well education and professional skills dr Gradojevic published the numerous scientific papers and he published the first textbook of orthopedics in this country. Unfortunately, his professional career was brutally interrupted in 1945, when he was forced to retire and moved from Medical faculty, together with other professors in these times. This resulted in enormous regression--fall in academic community, and our health care system and country also.

Introduction: Thin rubber gloves were used for the first time in the history of medicine at the end of 1889. On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of that event at the end of 2009, the great importance of that discovery for the development of surgery in general should be emphasized once again. The surgical gloves were invented and introduced by a famous American surgeon Dr. William Halsted from Johs Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore (USA). DR. WILLIAM HALSTED AND MISS CAROLINE HAMPTON: This significant innovation actually occured thanks to the romance between Dr. W. Halsted and his scrub nurse Miss Caroline Hampton, later his wife, Mrs C. Halsted. According to the antiseptic practice of that hospital the hands of the operating personnel had to be desinfected in mercuric chloride which damaged the skin of nurse Caroline who developed a bad case of dermatitis, and because of that she considered abandoning the hospital. This prompted Dr. Halsted to contract Goodyear Rubber Company to produce thin rubber gloves to protect Caroline's hands and to keep her in his vicinity. They proved to be very satisfactory and soon Dr. Halsted's assistants too began to wear sterilized rubber gloves routinely., Commentary and Conclusion: Although it was not until later that the importance of rubber gloves in preventing infection was realized these "gloves of love" soon entered into general surgical practice and proved to be of the greatest importance for the development of asepsis and aseptic surgical work.

The first children's hospital in Serbia, as an exclusive paediatric intitution, was founded in a deserted military barrack in Studenieka Street, near the Military Hospital, in January 1919. The founder was Dr. Katherine MacPhail, a young Scottish lady doctor, who came to Serbia for the first time in January 1915, with the first "Scottish Women's Hospital". After that, she worked as a volunteer during the First World War in France and on the Thessalonica Front. In the spring of 1919, the hospital was given an open pavilion in Topcider, which worked only during the summer months till 1924. In November 1919, the hospital was moved to a new building in Knez Milos Street, and then named The Anglo-Serbian Children's Hospital. In February 1920, a new annex, called "Villa Bravacić", was opened in Dubrovnik, which was active till 1922. In this hospital, the first Training School for Serbian Nurses was opened in 1921, and in February of that year, the hospital moved into its new permanent house in Visegradska Street, where it had 70 beds, three wards with a modern operating theatre, outpatients' department, X-ray outfit and a pharmacy. Because of much better working conditions, the Children's Surgical Department of the General State Hospital headed by Dr. Dimitrije Jovcić, later a professor of the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, was accommodated in this hospital from 1923 to 1931. Apart from him, in this hospital, there used to work a number of young Serbian physicians and several of them later became professors of the Belgrade Faculty of Medicine. The hospital worked till 1934, when it was closed, the building was sold and from that money Dr. MacPhail built a new Anglo-Yugoslav Children's Hospital for Tuberculosis of Bones and Joints in Sremska Kamenica.

Introduction: The medicine had been practiced in ancient Egypt since the earliest, prehistoric days, many millenia before Christ, and was quite developed in later periods. This is evident from the sceletal findings, surgical instruments found in tombs, wall printings, the reliefs and inscriptions, and most of all, from the sparse written material known as medical papyri. However, there were not many physicians from that time whose names had been recorded. The earliest physician in ancient Egypt known by name was Imhotep. WHO WAS IMHOTEP?: Imhotep lived and worked during the time of the 3rd Dynasty of Old Kingdom and served under the pharaoh Djoser (reigned 2667-2648 BC) as his vizier or chief minister, high priest, chief builder and carpenter. He obviously was an Egyptian polymath, a learned man and scribe and was credited with many inventions., Builder: As one of the highest officials of the pharaoh Djoser Imhotep is credited with designing and building of the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqarah, near the old Egyptian capital of Memphis. Imhotep is also credited with inventing the method of stone-dressed building and using of columns in architecture and is considered to be the first architect in history known by name., Physician: It is believed that, as the high priest, Imhotel also served as the nation's chief physician in his time. As the builder of the Step Pyramid, and as a physician, he also had to take medical care of thousands of workers engaged in that great project. He is also credited with being the founder of Egyptian medicine and with being the author of the so-called Smith papirus containing a collection of 48 specimen clinical records with detailed accurate record of the features and treatment of various injuries. As such he emerges as the first physician of ancient Egypt known by name and, at the same time, as the first physician known by name in written history of the world. GOD: As Imhotep was considered by Egyptian people as the "inventor of healing", soon after the death, he was worshiped as a demigod, and 2000 years later he was elevated to the position of a god of medicine and healing. His cult reached its zenith during Greco-Roman times when he was identified with the Greek god of medicine Asclepius., Conclusion: Imhotep was a real historic person from the period of the 3rd Dynasty of Old Kingdom (2686-2637 BC) and he served under the pharaoh Djoser as his vizier and high priest. Obviously, he was a very capable and many-sided man who is believed to be the designer and builder of the so-called Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqarah and of several other buildings. Apart from that he was believed by his people to be the "inventor of healing" and is considered to be the practicing physician at his time and the author of the famous Smith papirus. As such he is considered to be the first physician known by name in written history of the world. He was one of only two mortals ever to be accorded divining status after death.

Introduction: 90 years ago, on November 26th, 1917, died Dr. Elsie Inglis, one of the greatest heroines of the First World War, founder and driving force of the famous "Scottish Women's Hospitals", and one of the most interesting persons in the history of medicine in general, and especially in Serbia where she and her hospitals were of the greatest help in the most difficult times., Childhood and Education: Elsie Maud Inglis was born in India in 1864, in a Scottish family which in 1878 moved back to Scotland where Elsie studied medicine and graduated from the Edinburgh University in 1899. Medical practice and Women's Movement (1894-1914) Dr. E. Inglis worked in Edinburgh, where in 1904. She opened a small hospital for women and children called "The Hospice", which was staffed only by women. She was also very active in the Women's Movement (the so-called suffragettes), fighting for the women's rights and for the Vote. From 1906 until 1914 she was Honorary Secretary of the Scottish Federation of Women's Suffrage Societies. THE FIRST WORLD WAR-THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S HOSPITALS: After the outbreak of the Great War in August, 1914. Dr. E. Inglis immediately organised, through her Federation, the so-called "Scottish Women's Hospitals" (SWH), on the whole 13 of them, which worked through the war in France, Belgium, Serbia, Greece (Macedonia), and Russia (Romania). SERBIA, 1915: In.January, 1915 the first Unit of the SWH arrived to Kragujevac, and.soon three more hospitals came to Serbian towns of Valjevo, Lazarevac and Mladenovac. In May 1915 Dr. E. Inglis herself came to Serbia. In October, 1915, when the great offensive of the Central Powers began, all these hospitals were evacuated to Krusevac, where they undertook the task of nursing 900 Serbian wounded at the "Csar Lazar" military hospital. Dr. Inglis and the majority of her staff refused to evacuate any further and stayed with their Serb patients. In November, 1915 they became prisoners of war, but continued to treat their patients until February, 1916 when they were repatriated. RUSSIA, 1916-1917: Back home, Dr. E. Inglis formed a new large SWH Unit, which, headed by herself sailed for Russia in August, 1916, and soon joined the so-called Yugoslav Volunteer Division, consisting mainly of Serbs, fighting on the Dobrudja front. After heavy losses and many retreats the remainder of this division, together with the SWH were evacuated back to England, to Newcastle, where Dr. E. Inglis, who was already seriously ill, died, on November 26th, 1917. She was later buried in Edinburgh, with full military honours., Epilogue: High honours were bestowed posthumously on Dr. E. Inglis both by Great Britain and Serbia, and now, 90 years after her death, we should remember her with deep gratitude and respect for all she did for our people in the most difficult times of its history.

The Scottish Women's Hospitals (SWH), a unique health institution in the history of medicine, staffed entirely by women, was founded soon after the outbreak of the First World War, August 12, 1914 in Edinburgh, by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. The founder and the main driving force behind this organisation was Dr. Elsie Inglis (1864-1917). Although her proposition to the British War Office had been rejected, she offered her services to the Allies (France, Belgium, Russia and Serbia). The first 200 bed SWH unit was sent to France in November 1914, and soon after followed other units, so at the end there were 13 very well equipped SWH units working in the various theatres of war in Belgium, Serbia, Russia, Rumania and Greece. The first unit of SWH came to Serbia in early January 1915, and was located at Kragujevac. Soon after, three other SWH units arrived to Serbia and were stationed at Mladenovac, Valjevo and Lazarevac. It was an enormous help to Serbia, full of wounded and sick people, due to the dreadful typhus epidemic which was devastating the country. A large SWH unit, attached to the Southern Slav Volunteer Division, had worked on the Dobrudja front, and there were three hospitals and a special transport unit on the Salonika Front, which were all engaged in the treatment of Serbian wounded soldiers until the end of the First World War. Two other SWH units, located in France, were treating the Serbian refugees. Serving bravely and honorably on the various theatres of war, the legendary Scottish Women's Hospitals made enormous contributions to the allied war efforts, and helped Serbian people a great deal.

The development of orthopedic surgery in Novi Sad and Voivodina is related to the name of Dr. Katherine MacPhail, a Scottish physician, who came to Serbia during the World War I, where she worked with her mission in Belgrade and Kragujevac. After the war, she remained in Serbia and, in 1921, founded the first children's, co-called English-Serbian Hospital; then, in 1934, established English-Yugoslav Children's Hospital for Treatment of Osteoarticular Tuberculosis in Sremska Kamenica, which was open until 1941. After the end of World War II, as early as in 1947, Dr. MacPhail returned to Sremska Kamenica, where she reactivated the hospital. After the nationalization of the hospital, she left for Scotland, but the hospital kept working, first under the supervision of the Belgrade Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, and then as a ward of the Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology of the Novi Sad School of Medicine, until 1992, when it was closed.

The archaeological excavations at the cemetry Vise Grobalja on Viminacium were finished in the year 1985. Altogether 94 skeletons which were attributed to the Gepiden were examined anthropologically. The graveyard was dated about the middle of the 6th century. Of special importance were the 31 artificial deformed skulls. The deformation was done with a circular bandaging which is graphically illustrated. Farkas (1973), Winkler (1979) and Schröter (1988) identified the same type of bandaging on skulls of the ethnic migration period. The anthropological examination identified 46 as male and 27 as female skeletons: 16 were determined as infants and juveniles. About 5 skeletons were indeterminable because of their bad state of preservation. There was a deficit of women and infants. The average lifespan was less than 33 years. The influence or the presence of other anthropological types was not identified. But there should be further proof why, for example these groups of Gepiden from Viminacium have disappeared relatively rapidly from the historical stage and the Balkan.

A study of the development of the orthopaedic surgery in Novi Sad from the antique times till 1980 when the Clinic for Orthopaedic. Surgery and Traumatology was established has been carried out. Development from Roman Times till the Second World War. The first material evidence of the surgical activities in this area originates from the epoch of the Roman Empire, when under the emperor Augustus (Augustus, 27 B.C.-14 A.D.), the northern border of the Empire was established and fortified on the river Danube. At that time on the place of the contemporary Petrovaradin Fortress, a small fortification with a permanent garrison, called Cusum, was built. As it was proved by excavation of the surgical instruments from the Roman time at the nearby Sremska Mitrovica (Sirmium) the surgery in the Roman legions was quite developed and it could be concluded that some forms of surgery and orthopaedics were practised in the antique Cusum as well. There is no reliable evidence about the health service in the area after the Roman era till the 1689 when Petrovaradin was finally sized by Austrian troops from the Turks, and when the first recorded hospital (Petrovaradin Military Hospital) in this region was founded. At that time on the northern shore of the river Danube a new settlement, developing later into the town of Novi Sad, was established. Surgery together with orthopaedics at that time were performed by the so-called "feldschers", and then by primitive, self-taught surgeons who were actually experienced barbers, while educated doctors started to practice surgery only in the 19th century when the first surgical department in Novi Sad was founded in the Great Town Hospital, and for years after that, the orthopaedics was practised by general surgeons. The foundation of the Anglo-Yugoslav Children's Hospital for Tuberculosis of the Bones and Joints at Sremska Kamenica in 1934 by Dr. Katherine S. Macphail, a great benefactress of our people, was of great importance for the development of orthopaedics in this area as it was the first orthopaedic hospital in the country. The first small unit for orthopaedics, as a part of the Surgical Department of the Novi Sad State Hospital, was established in 1937 and led by a surgeon, Dr. Nikola Pravdica. Development from the Second World War till the 1980. After the Second World War the Main Provincial Hospital with two surgical departments was established in Novi Sad. At the so-called Second Surgical Department led by Dr. Nestor Teodorovic a small unit for traumatology and orthopaedics was founded in 1946, which functioned as such till 1953. The first properly trained orthopaedic surgeon was Dr. Stojan Letic who passed the specialty exam in 1953 and was attached to the Second Surgical Department of the Main Provincial Hospital. The first independent Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Department, led by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Vladimir Razenj, was established in 1956. From 1959 till 1963 the department was led by Prim. Dr. Dobrivoje Gradistanac. In 1963 this department together with the former "English Hospital" at Sremska Kamenica were incorporated into the so-called Clinic for Surgical Diseases and divided in the Orthopaedic (led by Prof. Milenko Dosen) and separated Traumatologic (led by Prim. Stojan Letić) departments which existed as such till 1975 when they were integrated again into a single unit which evolved into the Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology in 1980.

An experimental study on transplantation validity of patella's ligament, when transplanting front crossed ligament, was performed on 106 knees in 53 grown-up dogs. The investigation had three stages. Three months after the transplantation of the front crossed ligament with the medial third part of the patella's ligament animals were sacrificed and in one group the static resistance and the resistance to elongation, by using special tweezers (Alfred Amsler Co., Schafhausen, Switzerland), was investigated. The results showed that the patella's ligament is very suitable for transplantation because its resistance and strength were almost identical with the same parameters of intact front crossed ligament. Revascularization of the new ligament using Spaltenholz's technique was done in the second group, and three months after the operation, complete revascularization of transplants took place. The synovial membrane which covers the new ligament represents the main source of fresh blood vessels on one side, while similar process takes place along the bone tunnels where the new ligament was fixed. The new ligament histologic analysis carried out in the third group of experimental animals showed that after three months the transplant acquires the structure which is very similar to the front crossed ligament. The obtained results of the investigation show that the patella's ligament is a very good biologic material for transplantation of the crossed ligament.

The arterial blood supply of the distal radioulnar joint was investigated in 35 upper extremities taken from 22 fresh cadavers (11 newborns and 11 adults using the India ink injection and tissue-clearing techniques according to Spalteholz). Microvasculature of the articular disk of the distal radioulnar joint was also performed in 35 articular disks taken from 22 fresh human cadavers, 11 newborn and 11 adults using the same technique. It was found that the general blood supply to the joint is received mainly from the palmar and dorsal branches of the anterior interosseous artery. These branches, after dividing at the proximal border of the pronator quadratus, arborize in a fanlike fashion around the joint and their small ramifications penetrate and vascularize the capsule and the articular disk from the palmar, dorsal, and medial sides. The terminal branches of the anterior interosseous artery reinforced by the posterior interosseous artery and a small branch of the ulnar artery give the direct peridiscal vessels to the palmar, medial, and dorsal margins of the articular disk, which arborize and anastomose with one another and form the terminal capillary networks that end at the peripheral segments of the disk in a series of terminal capillary loops, leaving the inner segments devoid of blood vessels. The posterior interosseous artery anastomoses at the distal part of the forearm with one of the terminal rami of the dorsal branch of the anterior interosseous artery and, in that way, contribute to the vascularization of the dorsal capsule of the distal radioulnar joint. The ulnar artery gives off a small branch that anastomoses with one of the terminal ramifications of the palmar branch of the anterior interosseous artery and contributes to the formation of a small arterial arch on the anteromedial side of the distal ulna, supplying the anteromedial capsule and the basistyloid area of the ulna. Both ulnar and radial arteries contribute to the vascularity of the joint through the collateral network of the palmar and dorsal carpal arches. In the articular disk, the major central portion of the disk is avascular and only its peripheral, palmar, medial, and dorsal margins are vascularized. The proportion of vascularized zone to avascular zone depends on the age of the subject and, in newborns, is approximately 33%. In adults, only 25% of the peripheral segments are vascularized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A histologic study of the structure of the articular disk of the distal radioulnar joint in humans was performed on 57 disks from 37 fresh cadavers that included fetuses and individuals up to age 65 years. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, orcein, and Mallory and Mann-Dominici's methods, and studied with the light microscopy. It was found that the disks of adults were basically formed of the so-called fibrocartilagenous tissue composed of an intercellular substance in which there were interwoven wavelike collagen fiber bundles and between them three specific types of cells: (1) rather sparse fibrocytes mostly situated in dorsal and palmar margins, (2) predominant and constant chondroid cells dispersed throughout the disk, and (3) less-frequent real chondocytes distributed mostly in the central parts. This basic tissue is modified according to the age of the subjects and functional requirements. In fetuses and newborns, it is almost completely fibrous and very cellular, while in adults, it is more cartilaginous with significantly reduced cellularity. The structure of various parts of disks is adapted to the functional stresses exerted on them. In central parts exposed to pressure, the tissue is more cartilaginous, while peripheral, massive margins, subjected mostly to traction, are built in a ligamentlike pattern. The ulnar and carpal surfaces are adapted to the gliding movements of the ulna and carpus. It is concluded that the articular disk in humans, which is basically of fibrocartilagineous nature, is a dynamic structure biomechanically, predetermined and changing with aging.

A radiogrametric assessment of the patellar height performed by three measurement methods, in the lateral views of radiograms of 136 patients with chondromalacia of the patella was aimed at the establishment of certain parameter values in the studied population and the assessment of the influence the altered patellofemoral ratio has upon the onset of the disease. The results of the study verified the remarkable advantages of the method by Insall and Salvati for the measurement of the patellar height and showed a significant involvement of patellofemoral incongruity in the development of chondromalacia, since in 15-16% of the cases the patella was not properly placed.

The results of total knee replacement in 30 patients have been analyzed. Total knees were implanted during 1990, and the shortest follow-up time after the operations amounted to 6 months. All 30 total condylar prosthesis were of Insall-Burstein posterior stabilized design. The average age of the operated patients was 61 years. Osteoarthritis caused serious knee damage in 21 patients and was the indication for the operation; in 7 patients it was rheumatoid arthritis; in 1 patient synovitis villonodularis; and severe posttraumatic osteoarthrosis in 1 patient. In 18 patients axial knee deformity was noted prior to operation in the sense of valgus or varus. The continuous passive motion machine was used in the postoperative treatment of all patients. Clinically acceptable results were obtained in 90%. Wound healing complications were noted in 2 patients. Full axial deformity correction was achieved in all the patients with a full extension and flexion of over 90 degrees in the operated knees. Preliminary results after the implantation of this type of prosthesis are very encouraging and justify it's further routine use.

A preliminary investigation of the allogenic transplantation of the meniscus without the vascular bundle was carried out in 4 adult dogs with 8 knees. In one operation session on 2 dogs at 2 operative tables and with two operative teams an identical surgical procedure in general anaesthesia was done. A medial parapatellar incision of the knee was used, the medial capsule and the collateral ligament near its proximal insertion were severed. Explanted medial menisci were exchanged and the meniscus from the other dog was put in position of the explanted one and fixed with 3 tangentially placed sutures (posterior, medial and anterior) which were taken out through the capsule and teid extra-articularly; there was no immobilisation, and after 3 weeks the identical operation was done on the other knee. The animals were sacrificed 4-5 months after the operation, the knees were dissected and observed. In all 8 knees transplanted menisci were completely healed around their periphery, however their appearance was rather changed. They were narrower, thinner, and of different colour and consistency. The transplanted menisci were removed and conserved in 10% (formalin) for the further investigation. It is concluded that the allogenic meniscal transplantation without the vascular bundle is possible and that the further investigation of this problem is justified.

An investigation of the size and suitability for the transplantation procedures of the knee blood vessels was made in 20 adult dogs with 40 extremities using the technique of injection of the arterial network through the femoral artery with the mixture of the methacrylic resin (SIGMAL R "Galenika", Belgrade) and the red ink. When the polymerisation of injected methacrylic resin was completed the specimens were exposed to either chemical or biological maceration of the tissues. Thirty-five specimens were chemically macerated using either 30% solution of hydrochloride acid or 40% potassium hydroxide. With this method bones were also destroyed and only the methacrylic vascular cast remained unaffected. Five specimens were exposed to the biological maceration using the insects (Dermestes vulpinus). This method proved to be better as the bones elements were not destroyed which allowed more precise study of vessel relations and topography. Calibre of the arteries was measured using the micromethod MEBA (Zagreb) with the accuracy of 0.01 mm. The main arterial vessels of the knee joint on the medial side are aa. saphena, genus descendes (branches of the femoral artery, then a. genus descendens (branches of the femoral artery, then a. genus medialis (branch of the popliteal artery), and on the lateral side are a. caudalis femoris distalis, (branch of the femoral artery), a genus lateralis (branch of the popliteal artery) and recurrent branches of the a. tibialis cranialis. Calibre of the femoral and popliteal arteries was over 2 mm which means that they are suitable for macrosurgical sutures, while the calibre of all other arteries was under 2 mm, and it is concluded that they are suitable only for microsurgical sutures.

Lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee are very frequent misfortune and the results of their suture being insufficient yet, made us to explore the possibility to replace the damaged ligament with the fascia lata as an autologous transplant. Surgical operation was performed on dogs. Instead of the anterior cruciate ligament removed, we used a piece of a rolled fascia lata. Six months after transplantation being performed, samples of the fascia lata were extracted for histological analysis to assess their structure and to evaluate the transplant as a neoligament, on the basis of its similarity with the normal structure of the ligament. After degeneration of a part of transplant because of the insufficient supply of nutrients, the invasion of the synovial blood vessels into the fascia lata was established and the young granulation tissue formed on the account of the nondifferentiated adventitial cells. In the mosaic of the transplant structure there were present parts of a more mature, dense connective tissue with longitudinal orientation of the cells, the fibers and the vascular elements, which partially made structure similar to that in ligaments. In the attachment region fibrocartilage was noticed, gradually passing into the hyaline one, to merge with the hyaline cartilage of the joint surface. After the histological analysis follows the conclusion that fascia lata functionally could replace the anterior cruciate ligament if a role was supplied with sufficient collagenic fibers on the cross-section. Time is of a high importance, too.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In the period of 1966-1975 the authors treated 228 patients with a fractures of diaphysis of humerus, 103 of whom underwent surgery; in 36 of them a paralysis of the radial nerve occurred. These 36 patients were divided into two groups: primary lesions (22 cases) which were discovered during hospitalization, and secondary lesions which occurred in postoperative course. The aim of clinical research with the primary lesion (respectively 22 patients) was to ascertain which method would have the best effect. In 77,2% of these patients, a radial nerve was not interrupted, while in 13.6% its continuity was partially preserved, and only in 9.09% a complete interruption occurred. Complete recovery of the nerve was in 50% of patients, 22.7% had a small conduction deficit, while its paralysis was further present in 18.8% of cases. Accordingly to this, the authors attained an excellent and very good results in 59% of patients, while in the remaining 41% of cases the results was satisfactory. It has been established that primary lesions of radial nerve has been occurring in 7.64% of cases (similar date do exist in reviewed reports), and in the majority of patients a spontaneously recovery will occur in the course of 2-3 months. Therefore the authors are not for a primary exploration of n.radialis if it is a question of closed fractures. In rare cases with interruption of the radial nerve with extensive contusions of both simultaneously interrupted nervous stumps a primary suture is not indicated. Therefore an eventual surgical exploration to establish whether an interruption of the nerve exists, does not contribute to attain recovery.