The Ulster medical journal
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Comparative Study
Myocardial revascularization by off pump coronary bypass surgery (OPCABG): a ten year review.
The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may contribute to post-operative complications and organ dysfunction. Off pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) avoids the use of CPB and hence is proposed to reduce these complications. We present the results of OPCABG in Northern Ireland over ten years. ⋯ Off pump coronary artery bypass (OPCABG) can be achieved with a low mortality and good medium to long term survival. OPCABG is associated with fewer post-op complications and comparable late coronary interventions.
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Comparative Study
Foreign body ingestion in prisoners - the Belfast experience.
Deliberate ingestion of foreign bodies is common amongst prison inmates. The motives behind the ingestion are variable. As the only designated hospital in Northern Ireland treating acute surgical pathologies in the prison population, we reviewed our experience of foreign body ingestion between March 1998 and June 2007. ⋯ Eleven prisoners presented with foreign body ingestion over the study period (M=8 and F=3, mean age: 28.1 years, range 21-48). Mean follow-up was 597 days (range 335-3325 days). Although the literature states that most foreign bodies usually pass spontaneously without the need for intervention, this study demonstrates a higher intervention rate of 36% within the Northern Irish prison population in comparison with other prisoners.