Browsing by Author "Jaha, Luan"

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A decade of civilian vascular trauma in Kosovo
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan
Purpose: We sought to analyze the results of arterial injury management in a busy metropolitan vascular unit and risk factors associated with mortality and morbidity. Patients and methods: We analyzed 120 patient with arterial injury treated between year 2000 and 2010 at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. Seven of these years were prospective and three retrospective study. Results: The mechanism of arterial injury was stabbing 46.66%, gunshot wounds in 31.66%, blunt in 13.33%, and landmine in 8.33%. The most frequently injured vessel was the superficial femoral artery (25%), followed by the brachial artery (20.9%), crural arteries (13.1%), forearm arteries (14.3%), iliac arteries (7.5%), abdominal aorta (3.3%), common femoral artery (3.3%) and popliteal artery (3.3%). Associated injuries including bone, nerve and remote injury (affecting the head, chest, or abdomen) were present in 24.2% of patients. The decision to operate was made based on the presence of “hard signs” of vascular trauma. Arterial reconstruction was performed in 90.8% of patients, 5.8% of patients underwent primary amputation and 3.2% died on the operation table. Overall survival rate was 95.8%. Conclusion: Injuries to the arteries are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Mechanism of injury (blunt, gunshot, landmine or stub), hemodynamic stability at the admission, localization of injury, time from injury to flow restitution, associated injuries to the structures in the region and remote organs are critical factors influencing outcome.
Bullet embolization to the external iliac artery after gunshot injury to the abdominal aorta: a case report
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan
Introduction: Abdominal vascular trauma is fairly common in modern civilian life and is a highly lethal injury. However, if the projectile is small enough, if its energy is diminished when passing through the tissue and if the arterial system is elastic enough, the entry wound into the artery may close without exsanguination and therefore may not be fatal. A projectile captured may even travel downstream until it is arrested by the smaller distal vasculature. The occurrence of this phenomenon is rare and was first described by Trimble in 1968. Case presentation: Here we present a case of a 29-year-old Albanian man who, due to a gunshot injury to the back, suffered fracture of his twelfth thoracic and first lumbar vertebra, injury to the posterior wall of his abdominal aorta and then bullet embolism to his left external iliac artery. It is interesting that the signs of distal ischemia developed several hours after the exploratory surgery, raising the possibility that the bullet migrated in the interim or that there was a failure to recognize it during the exploratory surgery. Conclusion: In all cases where there is a gunshot injury to the abdomen or chest without an exit wound and with no projectile in the area, there should be a high index of suspicion for possible bullet embolism, particularly in the presence of the distal ischemia.
Bullet embolization to the external iliac artery after gunshot injury to the abdominal aorta: a case report
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan
Introduction: Abdominal vascular trauma is fairly common in modern civilian life and is a highly lethal injury. However, if the projectile is small enough, if its energy is diminished when passing through the tissue and if the arterial system is elastic enough, the entry wound into the artery may close without exsanguination and therefore may not be fatal. A projectile captured may even travel downstream until it is arrested by the smaller distal vasculature. The occurrence of this phenomenon is rare and was first described by Trimble in 1968. Case presentation: Here we present a case of a 29-year-old Albanian man who, due to a gunshot injury to the back, suffered fracture of his twelfth thoracic and first lumbar vertebra, injury to the posterior wall of his abdominal aorta and then bullet embolism to his left external iliac artery. It is interesting that the signs of distal ischemia developed several hours after the exploratory surgery, raising the possibility that the bullet migrated in the interim or that there was a failure to recognize it during the exploratory surgery. Conclusion: In all cases where there is a gunshot injury to the abdomen or chest without an exit wound and with no projectile in the area, there should be a high index of suspicion for possible bullet embolism, particularly in the presence of the distal ischemia.
Characteristics of Rotavirus Diarrhea in Hospitalized Children in Kosovo
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan
Background: Diarrhea is a leading cause of child mortality worldwide. Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of severe diarrhea and dehydration in children. Authors reviewed epidemiological and clinical data of the rotavirus diarrhea in Kosovo. Methods: This is a prospective study carried between January 1st and December 31st 2011. All data, comprising demographics, nutrition, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, management and outcome of the rotavirus diarrhea are collected on the specially designed form. Results: 116 children with rotavirus diarrhea are included in the study. The majority boys (74.4%) and children aged 0 – 12 months (82.75%). Mean age of children in the study was 16.38 months. Almost every third child in the study was hypotrophic (29.2%). More than half of the infants (55.2%) were on mixed food, somewhat more than every third was breast feeding (36.45%), and every twelfth (8.33%) was on artificial milk (animal or formula). Apart from diarrhea, present in all patients, vomiting (97.41%) and fever (43.96%) were characteristics of the clinical presentation of the diarrhea. Two thirds of the children had mild grade dehydration (70.7%). All patients recovered with no sequels. Conclusion: Rotavirus continues to be responsible for a significant portion of acute diarrhea in Kosovo. Clinical features, epidemiological data and the agglutination test are safe enough to establish the diagnosis. Treated correctly rotavirus diarrhea has a favorable outcome.
CLINICAL DILEMMAS AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PENOSCROTAL, SCROTAL AND PERINEAL HYPOSPADIAS
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan
Hypospadia is the most common congenital malformation of the urinary tract. It is a malformation with the opening of the urethra proximally from the usual site. Th e meatal opening can be anywhere alone the shaft of the penis, or in more severe forms, within the scrotum, or in the perineum. Consequently the hypospadias can be distal, medial and proximal. Th e proximal ones can be penoscrotal (PS), scrotal (SC) and perineal (PE). Th e cause of hypospadias is largely unknown; however, current epidemiology and laboratory studies have shed new light into the etiology of hypospadias. With recent advancements in molecular biology, microarray technology, it appears that hypospadias is potentially related to disrupted gene expression. Currently, the only available treatment is surgery. Th e aim of this study was to present our results of the surgical correction of hypospadias and methods used to answer the clinical dilemmas about the gender. Authors have used two methods for a surgical resolution of the hypospadia – one-step operation suggested by Snodgrass and two-step operation, employing free graft suggested by Bracka. Clinical dilemmas regarding the gender were answered using cytogenetic assessment through lymphocyte cultivation method, suggested by Seabright. Th e cytogenetic assessment was carried in  patients with proximal hypospadia (penoscrotal, scrotal and perineal). Characteristic male cariotype (, XY) was found in  patients. In one patient, with scrotal hypospadia, we found the characteristic female cariotype. Th is patient had testicles. Th e patient with female cariotype had a TDG gene that determines the diff erentiation of the testicles. Although surgery remains the only therapy for the treatment of the hypospadias, better understanding of the molecular and hormonal mechanisms behind the diseases may contribute to the prevention and the decrease in the incidence of the malformation. Cytogenetic testing in patients with unclear gender is important in planning further treatment.
Gallbladder ascariasis in Kosovo – focus on ultrasound and conservative therapy: a case series
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan
Background: Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the most common intestinal infections in developing countries, including Kosovo. In contrast to migration to the bile duct, migration of the worm to the gallbladder, due to the narrow and tortuous nature of the cystic duct, is rare. When it does occur, it incites acalculous cholecystitis. Case presentations: This case series describes a 16-month-old Albanian girl, a 22-month-old Albanian girl, a 4-year-old Albanian girl, and a 10-year-old Albanian boy. Here we report our experience with gallbladder ascariasis including clinical manifestations, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. Fever, diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration, pale appearance, and weakness were the manifestations of the primary disease. In all patients, a physical examination revealed reduced turgor and elasticity of the skin. Abdomen was at the level of the chest, soft, with minimal palpatory pain. The liver and spleen were not palpable. A laboratory examination was not specific except for eosinophilia. There were no pathogenic bacteria in coproculture but Ascaris was found in all patients. At an ultrasound examination in all cases we found single, long, linear echogenic structure without acoustic shadowing containing a central, longitudinal anechoic tube with characteristic movement within the gallbladder. Edema of the gallbladder wall was suggestive of associated inflammation. There were no other findings on adjacent structures and organs. All patients received mebendazole 100 mg twice a day for 3 days. They also received symptomatic therapy for gastroenteritis. Because of elevated markers of inflammation all patients were treated with antibiotics, assuming acute cholecystitis, although ultrasound was able to confirm cholecystitis in only two of our four patients. Since the length of stay was dependent on the primary pathology it was 7 to 10 days. At control ultrasounds on 14th day, third and sixth month, all patients were free of ascariasis. Conclusions: Gallbladder ascariasis should be considered in all patients presenting with abdominal pain, distension, colic, nausea, anorexia, and intermittent diarrhea associated with jaundice, nausea, vomiting, fever, and severe radiating pain. Eosinophilia, ova, and parasites on stool examination as well as an anechogenic tube with characteristic movement within the bile duct found on abdominal ultrasound are conclusive for diagnosis. Mebendazole is an effective drug for the treatment. Surgical treatment is rarely needed.
Massive hematuria due to an autogenous saphenous vein graft and urinary bladder fistula in an extra-anatomic iliofemoral bypass: a case report
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan; Gecaj Gashi, Agreta
Introduction: Gross hematuria caused by rupture of an artery in the urinary tract is a rare but potentially fatal condition. Iliac artery aneurysms, pelvic surgery with radiation, vascular reconstructive surgery, surgery for stenosis of the ureteropelvic junction, and transplantation are reported to be associated with this condition. In the vascular reconstructive surgery group, the most common etiology is rupture of the degenerated artery or synthetic graft in the ureter. Case presentation: We present a case of rupture of the small anastomotic pseudoaneurysm at the proximal anastomosis of a right iliofemoral autogenous vein extra-anatomic graft in the urinary bladder. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a rupture of an autogenous vein graft in the urinary bladder. Our patient, a 24-year-old Albanian farmer, was admitted to the emergency department in severe hemorrhagic shock induced by exsanguinating hematuria. He underwent immediate surgery, during which direct sutures to the bladder were placed and the saphenous graft was replaced with a synthetic one. The patient recovered completely, was free of hematuria, and showed no signs of pathological communication between the urinary and arterial tracts on postoperative cystoscopy and computed tomographic angiography during 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion: The incidence of artery-to-urinary tract fistulas is growing due to the increasing use of urologic and vascular surgery, pelvic oncologic surgery, and radiation therapy. In addition to fistulas involving a degenerated artery and ureter or synthetic grafts and ureter, they can also involve an autogenous vein graft and the urinary bladder. In our patient, the fistula was a result of erosion of the bladder from a pseudoaneurysm at the proximal anastomosis of an autogenous vein iliofemoral bypass in an extra-anatomic position. Open surgery
Surgical management of extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm—Case report and literature review
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan; Kuçi, Astrit
Extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms (EICAAs) are rare arterial aneurysms, with a prevalence of less than 1%. Although they are not common, these aneurysms can lead to serious medical conditions, such as stroke or compression over cranial nerves. In very few cases, there may be hemorrhagic complications due to the rupture of the aneurysm. This report presents a case of a successful surgical intervention for EICAA, and an overview of symptoms, risk factors, causes, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and potential postoperative complications. A 70-year- old Albanian lady had been experiencing pain due to a pulsating mass in her neck for many years. Physical examination did not reveal any signs of infection, injury, or previous surgery. A palpable thrill and a carotid bruit were detected over an evident pulsating mass on the left side of her neck. Her past medical history was consistent with three transitory ischemic attacks in recent months and a stroke 5 years earlier. Comorbidities included hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and long-standing coronary artery disease. Imaging investigation in terms of ultrasound and CT-scan confirmed the presence of an aneurysm of the proximal tract of the internal carotid artery measuring 42 × 31 mm. Surgery was indicated on symptomatic and anatomical grounds. The procedure was carried out under general anesthesia. After proximal and distal clamping, the aneurysm was excised followed by end-to- end anastomosis of the internal carotid artery. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged home on the fifth postoperative day. Despite the growing number of reported cases of successful endovascular treatment for internal carotid artery aneurysms, open surgery remains a safe and effective treatment option. However, it is crucial to provide customized treatment plans for each patient based on their individual characteristics and the particularities of their aneurysm.
Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with subhepatic inferior vena cava tumor thrombus: a case report and review of the literature
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Jaha, Luan
Background Renal cell carcinomas are the most common form of kidney cancer in adults. In addition to metastasizing in lungs, soft tissues, bones, and the liver, it also spreads locally. In 2–10% of patients, it causes a thrombus in the renal or inferior vena cava vein; in 1% of patients thrombus reaches the right atrium. Surgery is the only curative option, particularly for locally advanced disease. Despite the advancements in laparoscopic, robotic and endovascular techniques, for this group of patients, open surgery continues to be among the best options. Case report Here we present a case of successful tumor thrombectomy from the infrahepatic inferior vena cava combined with renal vein amputation and nephrectomy. Our patient, a 58 year old Albanian woman presented to the doctors office with flank pain, weight loss, fever, high blood pressure, night sweats, and malaise. After a comprehensive assessment, which included urine analysis, complete blood count, electrolytes, renal and hepatic function tests, as well as ultrasonography and computed tomography, she was diagnosed with left kidney renal cell carcinoma involving the left renal vein and subhepatic inferior vena cava. After obtaining informed consent from the patient we scheduled her for surgery, which went well and without complications. She was discharged one week after to continue treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Conclusion Open surgery is a safe and efficient way to treat renal cell carcinoma involving the renal vein and inferior vena cava. It is superior to other therapeutic modalities. When properly done it provides acceptable long time survival and good quality of life to patients.