Original Papers

The Management of Incidental Prostate Cancer Following TURP

D.M. Matanhelia, S. Croghan, G.J. Nason, C. O’Connell, D.J. Galvin

Matanhelia et al report that among 826 men who underwent a TURP operation, 72 (10.3%) were found to have prostate cancer.  Of these 72 patients, 46 (63.9%) were managed expectantly and the other 26 (36.1%) were actively treated.  The overall mortality was 29.2%, and the cancer specific mortality was 6.9%.  The authors conclude that expectant management is satisfactory in low risk disease.

P866

Appraisal of International Guidelines on Smoking Cessation Using The AGREE II Assessment Tool

K.I. Quintyne, P. Kavanagh

Quintyne and Kavanagh have reviewed clinical practice guidelines for smoking cessation.  Nine guidelines were assessed using the Agree 11 assessment tool.  The quality of the guidelines varied across the 6 domains.  The authors recommend that Ireland should adapt rather than simply adopt existing guidelines.

P867

Early Onset Neonatal E.Coli Sepsis

M. O’Rahelly, A. Smith, R. Drew, N. McCallion

O’Rahelly et al addressed the issue of E. Coli sepsis in newborn infants.  There were 21 cases of E. Coli sepsis and 38 control cases where mothers had E. Coli on the high vaginal swabs but their babies were healthy.  There were significant differences between the infected and non-infected babies.  The infected babies were more preterm, lower birth weight, and a longer duration of preterm, pre-labour rupture of membranes (pPROM).  The authors recommend a re-evaluation of antibiotics in newborns with a maternal pPROM.

P868

Counselling in Primary Care – A General Practitioner’s Perspective

 M. Rafferty, C. Bradley

Rafferty et al report on Counselling in Primary care (CIPC), a new service introduced by the HSE in 2013, providing short-term counselling for medical-card holders, suffering from mild to moderate mental health problems.

P869

A Survey of Colorectal Cancer Surveillance Practices In Ireland, And Implementation of A Survivorship Care Plan Pilot Programme

 M. Greally, F. Keane, D.G. Power, G.D. Leonard

Greally et al point out that survivor care plans (SCPs) are important in the care of patients with colorectal cancer. It includes surveillance for recurrence, and interventions for late effects of cancer. SCPs are practiced in 77% of designated cancer centres. It is perceived as beneficial by the patients.

P870

Are we Over-Imaging the Obese Patient with Suspected Pulmonary Embolus in Ireland

M.L. Gargan, M. O’Sullivan, K. Hunter, O. Buckley, W.C. Torreggiani

Gargan et al have addressed the issue of CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPAs) in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.  The frequency of positive scans was 16% in obese patients and 15% in non-obese patients.  The authors conclude that there is over-imaging of patients.

P871