New technologies for future of surgery in Ireland: An RCSI working Group report 2024.

Introduction: Surgery is a cognitive discipline whose practitioners characteristically use technology during operations for patients. With accelerating technological innovation throughout society and healthcare, we sought to develop a shared position for Irish surgery via a commissioned work programme by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Methods: Using Stanford design principles, representative clinical specialty and academic leads and higher trainee representatives across 15 specialties were surveyed regarding sentiments, perspectives and concerns regarding now and near future technology in clinical practice, career considerations and training/education.

A miR-activated hydrogel for the delivery of a pro-chondrogenic microRNA-221 inhibitor as a minimally invasive therapeutic approach for articular cartilage repair.

Articular cartilage has limited capacity for repair (or for regeneration) under pathological conditions, given its non-vascularized connective tissue structure and low cellular density. Our group has successfully developed an injectable hydrogel for cartilage repair, composed of collagen type I (Col I), collagen type II (Col II), and methacrylated-hyaluronic acid (MeHA), capable of supporting chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards articular cartilage-like phenotypes. Recent studies have demonstrated that silencing may be an effective approach in promoting improved MSC chondrogenesis.

Risk assessment tool for compatibility of concurrent administration of intravenous medications with parenteral nutrition admixture.

Compatibility of parenteral nutrition admixture (PNA) and intravenous medications (IVMs) is a major consideration for clinicians and clinical pharmacists, especially when concurrent administration of PNA with IVMs is unavoidable. This is relatively common in children and neonates, where limited vascular access can be challenging. The purpose of this paper is to create a risk assessment tool that will assist clinical judgment in evaluating the potential incompatibility risk between PNA media and the IVMs when they are administered together through the same intravenous line.

Comparison of the mechanical properties of porcine buccal mucosa and ureter and the clinical implications.

Purpose: Buccal mucosal grafts have a well-established role in urology regarding the management of ureteric stricture disease. Despite its established use as a graft material there is a lack of data on the mechanical properties of buccal mucosa. We aim to compare the passive mechanical properties of porcine buccal mucosa with the ureter.