Intercostal catheter analgesia is more efficient vs. intercostal nerve blockade for post-thoracotomy pain relief.

A pain after thoracotomy may result in a postoperative hypoventilation and lead to atelectases and pneumonia. This study was aimed to compare two analgesic regimens after posterolateral thoracotomy. 80 patients (40-70 years) undergoing thoracotomy were randomized to intercostal catheter analgesia (group A, n = 40) and intercostal nerve block (group B, n = 40).

Health of returnees in Osijek Region and required special measures of health care and community organization.

Many citizens from the Osijek-Baranja County, in order to survive, left their homes during the 1991/92 war in Croatia and spent between 5 and 7 years in exile. The aim of this pilot research was to assess the health status (physical, mental and social) of refugee /returnee population and their use of health services, to identify the factors influencing their adaptation, and to propose the health programs, psychological and social support, which could help foster integration into the social and community life, education and employment. The study was done on a randomized sample of 589 respondents using the 2003 Croatian Health Survey with an additional questionnaire related to the problems of returnees.