Urologic nursing
-
Radical cystectomy or cystoprostatectomy with urinary diversion is the gold standard for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Cystectomy can be through an open or robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach. ⋯ Appropriate patient selection and thorough pre-operative evaluation, however, are key in maximizing positive surgical outcomes. The experience at the University of Virginia with robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy will be discussed.
-
Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
Prostate HDR radiation therapy: a comparative study evaluating the effectiveness of pain management with peripheral PCA vs. PCEA.
High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is considered one of the most advanced treatment technologies currently available for treatment of localized prostate cancer. It gives the advantage of applying higher dose radiation, with greater precision, directly to the tumor while sparing healthy tissue and surrounding organs, thereby resulting in fewer side effects. In this facility, the treatment requires an overnight stay in the hospital, in a supine position, with a perineal template sutured to the perineum to prevent catheter movement or dislodgement. ⋯ These finding suggest that use of PCEA with bupivacaine and fentanyl is more effective in managing pain related to HDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer, and results in a positive patient outcome thereby improving patient satisfaction.
-
So far, the current risk to people in the United States from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia is low (CDC, 2005a). The strain of H5N1 virus found in Asia has not been found in the United States; and as of November 2005, there have been no human cases of H5N1 flu reported in the United States. Travel to countries in Asia has not been restricted, but travelers are advised to avoid all direct contact with poultry, poultry farms, animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals (CDC, 2005a). Meanwhile, medical and public health personnel are watching closely and preparedness plans are under way to respond to the threat of an avian influenza pandemic.