Irish journal of medical science
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Schizophrenia is a common mental illness with an incidence of 15 new cases per 100,000 population per year. ⋯ There have been considerable advances in schizophrenia research over the past 20 years. Future study of Indices of neural development will help advance our understanding of this common, disabling mental illness.
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Laparoscopic techniques are increasingly used in common surgical procedures. Many of these procedures are used to teach basic surgical trainees (BST) and therefore introduction of these techniques may have implications for training. ⋯ The use of minimally invasive techniques has had a negative effect on surgical training. Appropriate measures must be taken to minimise this and such measures should include a structured approach to laparoscopic training and greater access to laparoscopic training facilities.
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Methylprednisolone is the only neuroprotective therapy advocated in acute non-penetrating spinal cord injury. Trials indicate improved neurological outcome following early administration of a high dose regime. The National Spinal Injuries Unit (NSIU) has promoted this regime by a simple laminated poster sent to all Irish A&E departments. ⋯ There was poor documentation of prescription orders and timing of administration. Only six patients had clear documentation allowing confirmation of adherence to the protocol of the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (NASCIS) III trial.
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The contribution of dysmotility to dysphagia in oesophageal cancer is unclear. ⋯ Oesophageal motility is disturbed in oesophageal cancer. Dysphagia in oesophageal cancer may be partly explained by oesophageal dysmotility. This is improved by chemotherapy.
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Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is an infrequent but life-threatening complication after lung resection. The incidence of BPF reported in the literature varies between 0 and 15%. ⋯ Hand suture closure of bronchial stump after pneumonectomy is a safe, reproducible and inexpensive technique, and a low incidence of BPF can be achieved.