Irish journal of medical science
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Meta Analysis
A meta-analysis of laparoscopic versus ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Enhanced recovery programmes in laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) employ combined approaches to achieve postoperative analgesia. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a locoregional anaesthetic technique that may reduce postoperative pain. ⋯ LTB is associated with significantly less narcotic usage and pain at 24 h postoperatively but similar PONV, operative time and complication rates, compared to UTB. However, the data were inconsistent, and our findings require further investigation. LTB obviates the need for ultrasound devices whilst also decreasing procedure logistical complexity.
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In most high-income countries, emergency departments (ED) represent the principal point of access forcer by critically ill or injured patients. Unlike inpatient units, ED healthcare workers (ED HCWs) have demonstrated relative lack of adherence to hand hygiene (HH) guidelines, commonly citing frequency of intervention and high rates of admission, which reflect severity of cases encountered. ⋯ Multimodal approaches appear to have enhanced HHC moderately among ED HCWs. Elevated complexity associated with critically ill patients, and ED overcrowding, are contributing factors to relatively low compliance rates observed. Strategies to improve HHC rates may need to acknowledge, and cater for, the context of an unpredictable environment.
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Desmoid tumours are benign fibromatous tumours arising from dysregulated myofibroblast proliferation within musculoaponeurotic structures. They can occur sporadically but more commonly are associated with genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (Sakorafas et al. in Surg Oncol 16(2):131-142, 2007) (FAP). Mutations in either the Wnt, β-catenin or APC genes are 'key' triggers for the development of these tumours (Howard and Pollock in Oncol Ther 4(1):57-72, 2016). Classically, these tumours do not metastasise; however, they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to their infiltrative pattern and/or local invasion. Historically, surgical resection was the cornerstone of treatment. There remains paucity of data regarding outcomes following the surgical management of abdominal desmoid tumours in terms of success, recurrence and morbidity. ⋯ The management of desmoids has considerable heterogeneity. Surgical resection for abdominal desmoids remains a valid treatment option in highly selective cases where negative margins can be obtained, with low major morbidity and/or mortality.
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Ireland's population is living longer, and the prevalence of any LUTS is estimated to be 63-83% in adult men, increasing with age. Ireland has one of the lowest urologists per population ratio in Europe, at approximately 1:127,027. The patients waiting the longest are those with routine benign conditions such as men with LUTS. The impact on quality of life for men experiencing LUTS can be profound. ⋯ This study demonstrates the safety, efficacy and financial advantage of an ANP-led clinic for adult men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms previously triaged by a consultant urologist.