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Background: Measurements of electrode impedance values are routinely performed after cochlear implantation. The primary objective of the study was to determine if pediatric, prelingually deafened patients with different postoperative performances showed significantly different impedance values one year after implantation. Methods: This study comprised 42 pediatric cochlear implant recipients provided with the device in a single academic tertiary referral center between 1 January 2000, and 31 December 2016. Medical chart analysis was performed in order to assess evolution of impedance values during the first postoperative year on a monthly basis. Electrode impedance values measurements one year postoperatively were compared between children with successful and unsuccessful auditory and language skills development assessed using the EARS protocol (a name of a performance test). Furthermore, values were compared among recipients of different implant types and among different cochlear segments. Results: A gradual rise of average impedance values was found during the first months of implant use (1st month, 7.32 kΩ; 3rd month, 7.86 kΩ) with the peak at the 4th postoperative month (7.96 kΩ), followed by a gradual decrease towards the 12th month (6th month, 7.62 kΩ; 12th month, 6.86 kΩ). Lower values at the 12th postoperative month were observed in recipients with successful development compared to patients presented with unsuccessful development (6.22 kΩ vs. 7.82 kΩ; p = 0.001). Mean impedance values were different when compared among cochlear segments and among different implant types. Conclusion: High electrode impedance values one year after implantation in pediatric patients may imply insufficient auditory and language skills development. Further studies are needed in order to validate our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the poorest country in Europe. We made overview of the first years of Cochlear implant (CI) project in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. MATERIALS and METHODS: Retrospective study: start of the CI project, number of implanted children, age of implanted children, start and number of CI surgery without supervision, organization of rehabilitation prosess. RESULTS: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of two parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina (less then 2 million of inhabitans). CI project implemented in three centers: Tuzla, Sarajevo, Mostar. Year of start of project was in Tuzla 2001, in Sarajevo 2002 and in Mostar 2008. Until January of 2015, in Tuzla performed 40 CI surgeries, in Sarajevo 40 and in Mostar 15 CI surgeries (total 95). Mean age of implantation was in Tuzla 54 months (min. 21-max.144), in Sarajevo 38 (min. 20max. 189) and in Mostar 45 months (min. 19- max. 120). In Tuzla, 21 CI surgery were performed withour supervision (from 2003 year), in Sarajevo 29 CI surgery (from 2003 years), and in Mostar there was not CI surgery without supervision until now. In all three centers performed rehabilitation process: in Tuzla at ENT clinic, in Sarajevo in separate Center for rehabilitation outside of the ENT clinic, and in Mostar in Public Health Center; with differences in success of rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that CI can be implemented even in such conditions like bad financial situation in country, postwar conditions, non-functional organization of health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information regarding to the changes to the journal "Acta Medica Salinia." The changes that the author mentioned include new editorial board, redesigned hardcopy and the availability of online edition of the journal. The author notes that the purpose for the various changes to the journal is to increase its scientific quality and international availability.