Differences in attitudes to feeding post repair of Gastroschisis and development of a standardized feeding protocol.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in attitudes to feeding in neonates with Gastroschisis between clinical groups and to develop a standardized feeding protocol. Confusion, inconsistencies in practice and lack of evidence could be contributing to avoidable delays in the establishment of enteral feeds resulting in lengthy requirements for central venous access, dependence on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), increased risk of sepsis, TPN related cholestasis and prolongation in length of hospital stay.

Methods: A national survey of clinicians (neonatologists, neonatal intensive care nurses and paediatric surgeons), looking after neonates with gastroschisis was undertaken to determine differences in feeding practice post repair.

A comparison of red cell recovery between two different methods of red cell washing.

Unlabelled: The success of cell salvage varies depending upon how many shed red blood cells (RBC) are captured from the surgical wound and returned to the patient. Here, the authors hypothesized that pneumatic disk (PD) processing might provide better RBC recovery when compared with traditional Latham bowl (LB) techniques. Comparison of the speed of processing, product hemoglobin and salvage efficiency was made between the two machines when their reservoirs were loaded with blood volumes ranging from 100 mL to 1000 mL.

Bacterial reduction by cell salvage washing and leukocyte depletion filtration.

Background: Blood conservation techniques are being increasingly used because of the increased cost and lack of availability of allogeneic blood. Cell salvage offers great blood savings opportunities but is thought to be contraindicated in a number of areas (e.g.