Irish journal of medical science
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Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) is the recovery, anticoagulation, filtration and reinfusion of blood lost during surgery. The aim of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of ICS in emergency and elective abdominal aortic surgery. ⋯ ICS is a safe procedure and substantially reduces the need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery. It may substantially alleviate shortages of allogenic blood and should be part of the armamentarium of vascular units.
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To review and examine the epidemiology, severity and management of trauma admissions at the national neurosurgical teaching hospital. ⋯ The management of patients with serious injury is complex. The large proportion of patients with critical injuries, some of whom were paediatric, highlighted the need for 24 h cover by senior trauma personnel and the provision of radiology and operating facilities to meet their needs. The inclusion of indicators of alterations in innate or adaptive immune responses may improve the predictive power of severity of injury scores.