Irish journal of medical science
-
Review Meta Analysis
Diagnostic values of carcinoembryonic antigen in predicting peritoneal recurrence after curative resection of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.
A meta-analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic values of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in predicting the peritoneal recurrence after curative resection of gastric cancer. ⋯ CEA protein and mRNA levels in peritoneal lavage show a high diagnostic accuracy and may help accurately predict the peritoneal recurrence after curative resection of gastric cancer.
-
Intensive care units (ICU) in Irish academic centres are known to fare as well as their international counterparts. Our aim in this study was to characterise the role and outcomes of an ICU in a smaller Irish hospital and to compare these to international best practice. ⋯ Critical care can be provided safely and in line with current best practice in smaller Irish hospitals. There is a cohort of patients for whom care may be best provided in a tertiary centre, how best to provide for these patients will likely be achieved by early identification (e.g. with SOFA score). Bed capacity issues remain problematic.
-
A number of clinical specialist physiotherapist (CSP)-led musculoskeletal triage clinics have been established in the Republic of Ireland as a means of managing patients referred for an outpatient orthopaedic consultation. ⋯ The findings of this service evaluation indicate that a significant number of patients referred for an orthopaedic consultation may be managed independently by a CSP and that onward referrals for orthopaedic consultation were highly appropriate.
-
Metastatic tumours of the pancreas are rare and the optimal management of these tumours remains unclear, given the paucity of data existing in the literature. We report our experience of pancreatic metastasectomy. ⋯ Our series further supports that pancreatic metastasectomy can be performed safely and achieves acceptable survival outcomes.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The effects of Valsalva maneuver on venipuncture pain in children: comparison to EMLA(®) (lidocaine-prilocaine cream).
Venipuncture is one of the most painful events for children in hospitals. Valsalva maneuver (VM) decreases the incidence and severity of pain on venipuncture pain in adults. This study was designed to evaluate VM as compared with Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetic (EMLA(®)) cream for venipuncture pain in children. ⋯ On the basis of data from this study, the VM is a simple and a practical method to reduce venipuncture pain in children but not as effectively as EMLA(®).