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Hallux valgus is a complex deformity of the forefoot. Beside the lateral deviation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint angle exceeding 15-20 degrees and intermetatarsalvarus exceeding 8-9 degrees, it is also characterized by extensive changes of the soft tissue arch, sesamoid mechanism and metatarsocuneiform joint. It occurs almost exclusively in humans wearing shoes. Although in some measure it can be treated non-operatively, by corrective separators and inserts, operative treatment is predominant. There are numerous operative procedures aimed at the correction of the deformity and inducing normal biomechanics of the forefoot. There are seven conceptually different procedures starting from simple bunionectomy, through various soft tissue procedures, metatarsal and phalangeal osteotomies, to resection arthroplasty and metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis. All have clear indications, and none of them has advantages over the others. In accordance with the etiopathogenesis of the disease prevention is easy; wearing comfortable shoes.

Foot arches are defined by the position of bones and stabilized by active and passive soft tissue structures. The most significant foot arches are longitudinal, medial and lateral. During lifetime they develop and change, while the most significant disorder represents the flatfoot. During the first two years of life, the flatfoot in full weight bearing position is considered a normal physiological condition, while in later age it represents a deformity requiring additional diagnostics and treatment. The flexible flatfoot is caused by ligamentous laxity, it is mostly pain-free and is treated symptomatically (prescription of adequate shoes and kinesitherapy). The rigid foot is most often caused by bone changes (tarsal coalition, vertical congenital talus) occurring idiopathically or within neuromuscular pathological conditions, with mostly present pain problems. In such cases treatment is also initiated by non-surgical methods, however, some type of surgical treatment is most frequently necessary to be used.

The type of urinary derivation after radical cystectomy due to urinary bladder carcinoma does not influence survival substantially, but it may influence the quality of life of the patients very much. One of modifications of classical ureterosigmoidostomy that has been focused by urologist in recent years in the sigma rectum pouch (Mainy pouch II), for its substantially improved aspects of quality of life and earlier occupational rehabilitation of these patients. In the period August 1994 through March 1998 we made Meinz pouch II (the modification implies fixation of the pouch to the parietal peritoneum and implantation of the ureter into the pouch as suggested by Camey-Le-Duc). This surgical technique is associated with lots of advantages as the continent form of urinary derivation, and as a fairly simple surgical technique it is an improvement in this type of surgery. Intactness of the abdominal wall (no urostoma), frequency of defecation/urination in 3-4 hr intervals during the day and 4-5 hours during the night, absolutely volitonal control of these functions, rapid postoperative recovery with stabilization of renal function parameters, low percentage of ascending infections, higher degree of occupational rehabilitation, i.e. lower incidence of disability and good psychosocial status are all advantages of this method in the light of the quality of life of these otherwise very difficult patients.

Penile carcinoma is a rare disease with the annual incidence of 1-2 cases per 100,000 men. About 95% of all penile malignancies are squamous cell carcinoma. At the Clinic of Urology in the period 1988-1998 we treated 58 patients with penile carcinoma. Nine of these (15.5%) were subjected to total penectomy due to the extent of the lesion, while partial amputation of the penis was performed in 84.5% (49 cases). The aim of the therapy was to completely remove the primary lesion with adequate margins. Postoperative follow-up comprised, among other things, evaluation of the quality of life as reflected in pain, sexuality and emotional distress. Quality of life of patients subjected to partial penectomy where no cases of relapse were recorded, was satisfactory, while in cases of total penectomy about 24% (14 patients) suffered marked emotional distress induced by the loss of the mark of male sexuality and sexual impotence. In the light of the prominent problems related to the quality of life induced by severe psychological influence of penis amputation, local excision, Mohs's operation and laser therapy are increasingly used in the treatment of penile carcinoma.