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Following identification of the areas of electoral support for the ruling parties since 1996 and subsequent analysis of the selection of ministers by each party, it was found that centre-right parties nominated more ministers from their areas of electoral support, mainly from Prague and other large cities. On the other hand, left-wing parties nominated ministers from similar areas to centre-right parties, even if they did not draw their electoral support from there. The Public Affairs party, which was established in Prague, nominated all its ministers from Prague, despite the fact that for the party it was not an area of electoral support. It is evident that, for the completion of a minister’s mandate, it is not important whether he or she comes from an area of electoral support. Only TOP 09, the Greens and KDU-ČSL (1998 elections) used the nomination of ministers to maximise votes within electoral regions, which could be identified as areas of electoral support in the previous elections. On the other hand, with ODA and ANO 2011, ministers were used outside the territory of electoral support, which may be related to the improvement of the election result in regions where the party was not so successful.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY In view of increasing interest in a relationship between the surface of an implant and its behaviour and longevity in total hip arthroplasty (THA), the aim of this study is to present the clinical and radiographic results, as well as complications, of hip replacement surgery using the cemented femoral stem SAS I. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 298 cemented femoral stems SAS I were implanted in 275 patients at our department between 1996 and 2005. The patient average age was 72.1 years, with the range from 64 to 92 years. The pre-operative diagnoses were as follows: primary osteoarthritis in 179 (30.1%); post-dysplastic osteoarthritis in 41 (13.7%); femoral neck fracture in 44 (14.8%); avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 23 (7.7%); rheumatoid arthritis in nine (3%) and other causes in two (0.7%) patients. Of the 275 patients who had the surgery, 186 (204 THAs) underwent clinical and X-ray examination at an average follow-up of 11.5 years (range, 8 to 17 years). The clinical results were used to calculate the Harris hip score and radiographic evaluation was based on antero-posterior views. RESULTS The group of 186 assessed patients (204 THAs) comprised 106 women and 80 men, who were on average 85.4 years old on evaluation (range, 72 to 92 years). Of the remaining patients, 62 patients (64 THAs) died from causes unrelated to the surgery and 27 patients (30 THAs) were lost to follow-up. The functional outcome of surgery assessed by the Harris hip score was excellent in 61 (32.8%), good in 94 (50.5%), satisfactory in 26 (14%) and poor in five (2.7%) patients. The 93.1% SAS I stem longevity was recorded in relation to aseptic loosening; reimplantation for this indication was performed in 14 THAs. No revision surgery for failure due to valgus/varus deviations of the stem was carried out. Of the 204 hips, 188 had femoral stems aligned in neutral, 12 (5.9%) in valgus and four (2%) in varus positions. DISCUSSION The anatomical femoral stem SAS I is an implant made to fit the proximal femur anatomy. Its highly polished surface allows for optimal fitting with the supporting bone and for even distribution of weight bearing. This results in a low rate of THA failure. In accordance with the relevant literature, the acetabular components is considered to be the weakest element in total hip replacement in terms of aseptic loosening and implant failure. At present, the SAS I stem has no Morse Eurocone taper and this is the chief obstacle hindering its more frequent use in endoprosthetics. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study are in agreement with those of other successfully implanted polished cemented femoral components. Key words: anatomical cemented femoral component, surface adjustment of the femoral stem, complications.

Purpose of the Study: To present a new type of percutaneous compression plate (PCP) for a minimally invasive method of treating trochanteric hip fractures., Material: Between September 2004 and December 2006, a total of 66 patients with hip fractures were treated by minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis involving a PCP. The average age of the patients was 74.5 years (range, 27-95 years). The fractures were classified as pertrochanteric (AO31, A1.1-A2.3) in 73%, femoral neck fracture (AO31, B2) in 20%, and intertrochanteric fracture (AO31, A3.1) in 7% of the patients., Methods: Reduction was performed under conduction or general anaesthesia on a traction table, using an X-ray image intensifier system. Reduction and intra-operative temporary stabilisation of the fracture was facilitated by a posterior reduction device. Access was gained and a PCP was inserted through two incisions at the lateral side of the proximal femur., Results: The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Radiographic union was found on average at 3 months post-operatively. No pseudoarthrosis or implant failure was recorded. At 6-month follow-up, 81% of the patients were able to walk without walking aid or with one walking cane only. Two crutches were used by 8% of the patients.To walk without help was impossible for 11% of the patients whose mobility had already been limited before the injury., Discussion: PCP osteosynthesis for trochanteric fractures is a novel minimally invasive approach providing a better treatment of the fracture. Compared to dynamic hip screw osteosynthesis used before, PCP allows for earlier weight bearing and noticeably reduces blood loss. Implant construction as well as post-operative controlled impaction of the fracture minimize the risk of osteosynthesis failure. The simple instrumentation construction enables us to reduce operative time., Conclusions: The percutaneous compression plate is a contribution to minimally invasive osteosynthesis of trochanteric fractures. An increase in rotational stability of the implant due to its biaxial telescopic construction allows for earlier weight-bearing of the extremity, thus facilitating the patient's earlier return to everyday life activities. It also reduces operative trauma, blood loss and post-operative complications.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability often develops after distal forearm fracture or severe dislocation of the wrist with damage to its stabilising structures. The instability is usually diagnosed as a chronic condition and only rarely at the time of injury. When the stabilising structures are not treated adequately soon after injury, instability develops and is accompanied with pain, restricted range of motion and reduced grip strength. This study presents the option of chronic instability treatment by tenodesis with use of the palmaris longus tendon. Its aim is to remind the broad medical community of this issue. MATERIAL Between July 1994 and November 2000, tenodesis was performed in 15 patients with chronic DRUJ instability. The right and left sides were affected in 10 and five patients, respectively; of them 12 were dominant extremities. All injuries were diagnosed as dorsal subluxation of the ulnar head, with side dislocation in three patients. METHODS The diagnosis was based on a thorough medical history, and clinical and radiographic examination, including projections in forced maximum radial and ulnar duction, as recommended by Geyer and Luzius as early as in 1964. Tenodesis was done by the Jäger and Wirth method using the palmaris longus tendon. The patients were scored according to the Modified Mayo Wrist System. RESULTS Of the 15 patients treated by this method, 14 were evaluated. Eight patients regarded the results as very good, with no pain at maximal physical activity, and five considered them good, experiencing pain only at maximal but not at everyday activities. One patient reported a poor outcome. The average score increased from pre-operative 40 to 60 points post-operatively. All patients had a slight restriction of rotation movements of the forearm. Residual instability was found in one patient. DISCUSSION It is a common view that this condition is caused by subluxation or dislocation of the ulnar head, while in fact it is subluxation or dislocation of the radius turning around the ulna. As reported in the literature, dorsal dislocation is three-times as frequent as volnar dislocation, and this is in agreement with our findings. There is a wide variety of the operative methods for tenodesis which differ in the distribution of tunnels in bone. Restriction of the range of motion in our patients also agreed with the literature data. No effect of a distal radius fracture on the results of surgery was recorded. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that tenodesis is a method suitable to treat chronic DRUJ instability if the indication criteria are observed, i. e., if no arthritic lesions are present in the joint.