Hypothesis: There is a positive correlation between type and intensity of combined congenital ear malformations and results of surgical reconstruction. Background: Combined congenital malformations of external and middle ear pose a lot of surgical problems and demand adequate skill and planned, fractioned therapy. The goals of these operations are: limited number of operations with minimal complications, well cosmetic result, hearing improvement and easier use of hearing aid, removal of congenital cholesteatoma, preservation of labyrinth and facial nerve. Methods: The aim of this work is to present the experience in treating patients with combined malformations of external and middle ear. In the period between 1992 and 2001 seventeen patients with this type of congenital malformations were operated. Classical dilemma who operates first, plastic surgeon or otosurgeon is solved here by complete otosurgical treatment with reduced number of operations. Results: Totally 36 operation was performed, two reoperations were made in four patients, and also three operations in three patients for the reconstruction of deformity of auricle. In seven patients costal rib cartilage was used for auricular framework. Reoperations were done during the course of auricular reconstruction (14 operations), or because of meatal restenosis (five operations), or cartilage graft necrosis (one case). Atresia was adequately solved in 14 patients, while in three cases connective tissue meatal restenosis was found. The results of reconstruction of auricular malformation were aesthetically good in 13 patients and sufficient in four patients. Conclusion: We found positive correlation between external ear and middle ear deformity, and the results of reconstruction, as well. Two thirds of patients have hearing threshold level under 30 dB, while the threshold in other patients is 30-40 dB. Residual airbone gap amounting about 20 dB was universally present.

Introduction. Iliopsoas abscess is a rare condition, which may be categorized as primary or secondary. Primary iliopsoas abscess is caused by lymphohematogenous spread of infectious agents from a distant site, unlike secondary iliopsoas abscess that is a result of direct spread of a nearby infectious or inflammatory process. The diagnosis and treatment of primary iliopsoas abscess are often prolonged, due to the rarity of the disease and the nonspecific signs and symptoms. Case Report. This study presents a case of a onemonth old infant with a left-sided iliopsoas abscess. The physical examination revealed a swelling with a pronounced vascular pattern in the area of the left groin. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis and increased inflammatory markers. An abscess within the left hemiabdomen and inguinofemoral region was diagnosed by ultrasonography and computerized tomography. The main therapeutic approach included antibiotic therapy, as well as surgical drainage of the abscess. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from a 100 ml sample of the drained abscess. The treatment outcome was good. Conclusion. Given the frequency of iliopsoas abscess in infants, which is far less common than other primary diseases, greater attention must be paid to symptoms and signs during clinical examination, along with the appropriate choice of diagnostic procedures. Timely diagnosis, as well as adequate treatment of iliopsoas muscle abscess, is imperative in order to prevent the development of complications, such as systemic inflammation and sepsis.

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This paper focuses on the causes of gravity movements (landslides) at „Bogutovo Selo and Ugljevik East 1” open pit coal mines. The landslides complicate open pit mine operations, but also pose a danger to individual objects, structures and related infrastructure. Those were the reasons which resulted in the need to perform detailed monitoring of landslides, to register changes in active processes, to establish databases and update, improve and recondition the processes themselves. Three landslides have been located within „Bogutovo Selo and Ugljevik East 1” open pit coal mines. The results obtained from hydrogeological and geomechanical surveys, as well as the data obtained from landslide monitoring, enable us to adequately restore objects, structures, related infrastructure and to stabilize the terrain itself at the open pit coal mine.