Background: The fact that pulmonary complications occur in 20–60% of the patients subjected to abdominal operations clearly indicates that the lungs are the most endangered organ during the postoperative period. Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the impact of cholecystectomy on postoperative respiratory disturbances by comparing the laparotomic cholecystectomy with laparoscopic gallbladder removal. Patients and Methods: A hundred cholecystectomized patients were included in the prospective randomized clinical trial. Half of the patients were operated on by the laparotomic procedure, whereas the other half underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Spirometric parameters, arterial blood gases, and acid-base balance were determined before the operation, and at 6, 24, 72 and 144 h postoperatively. Abdominal distension was assessed by auscultating intestinal peristaltics, abdominal circumference measurement, and time interval to restitution of defecation. Results: Six hours postoperatively, the values of ventilation parameters decreased on average by 40–50% from the baseline preoperative values in both groups of patients. The group of patients submitted to laparotomic cholecystectomy had significantly lower spirometric values and slower recovery of the ventilation parameters than the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. Abdominal circumference was significantly greater and the time needed for restitution of peristaltics and defecation was significantly longer in the laparotomic cholecystectomy group compared to the group of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Conclusions: Statistically significant impairments including hypoxia, hypocapnia and hyperventilation were observed in the patients submitted to laparotomic cholecystectomy, indicating the presence of objective respiratory risk, especially in elderly patients and patients with obstructive pulmonary diseases or cardiac insufficiency.

PurposeAnthropometry as one of anthropology methods is concerned with the measurement of the human body and determining the relationship of the size and proportions of the human body. Aims to outline the main features of the Croatian anthropometric system (HAS).Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a description of the major characteristics included in HAS, the STIRP project supported by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports by means of the HITRA program.FindingsIn its TEST subprogram, HAS includes the first systematic anthropometric measurement in all Croatian counties and in the city of Zagreb. The objective of HAS is to determine a proposal of the new size system of clothing and footwear. The paper describes major characteristics included: anthropometric measurements and target points, part of practical measurements, survey of measurements based on age groups and instruments used for these purposes, notes about field measurements and HAS users.Practical implicationsThe implementation of HAS has been harmonized with International Organization for Standardization and EN standards and represents a considerable contribution on the path to the EU.Originality/valueProvides information of value to those concerned with developments in the clothing and garment industries.

Our results show that laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer can be performed safely. Complications and recurrence rates are comparable to those for left-sided laparoscopic and open procedures. Therefore, we recommend this procedure as the method of choice. Laparoscopically treated patients with stage II and stage III disease have almost the same cumulative rate of survival.

Prompt transportation, appropriate diagnostic methods and an adequate surgical treatment can markedly reduce mortality and complications rate in war injuries to the thoracic esophagus.

The best results were achieved in patients on whom, after hepatotomy, selective hemostasis with liver debridement was carried out.