Research
We have a strong track record in health services research and an
international reputation in designing and delivering surgical
research studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that are
of importance to patients, clinicians and the wider NHS. Professor
Jane Blazeby directs the
Centre for Surgical Research hosted by the University of
Bristol. The Centre works closely with the NIHR
Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, the Royal College of
Surgeons of England, the Bristol Trials
Centre, and the MRC Trials Methodology Research
Partnership.
Key research studies include:
The
ROMIO study
This RCT aimed to establish the best surgical approach for
treating patients with oesophageal cancer, by comparing open and
minimally invasive ('keyhole') surgery. It recruited over 400
patients from 9 centres and follow-up has now been completed. The
results will be available very soon.
The
Sunflower study
This RCT will find out whether testing for bile duct stones
before gallbladder surgery is worthwhile or not in patients with a
low or moderate risk of having stones. It is being conducted
in 50 centres across the UK, including UHBW (Bristol Royal
Infirmary and Weston General Hospital). If you are waiting for
gallbladder surgery and interested in taking part, please email sunflower-study@bristol.ac.uk
and we will provide you with further information.
The
By-Band-Sleeve study
This RCT compares three different operations for patients
undergoing surgery for severe and complex obesity (gastric band,
gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy). It is being conducted
across 12 centres and over 1300 patients have participated. The
study is in the follow up phase.
The
Bluebelle study
Wound infections occur commonly after surgery, leading to pain,
discomfort and inconvenience for patients and increased healthcare
costs for the NHS. There is controversy about the role of
wound dressings in preventing infection. This pilot study was
undertaken to establish whether a large main RCT - comparing wound
infection rates in patients receiving a dressing or no dressing -
was possible in this clinical area.
The Lotus study
The development of innovative surgical procedures is essential
for advancing clinical practice. This can include the introduction
of entirely new procedures, as well as modifications of existing
techniques. However, little is known about how innovative
procedures are introduced into routine settings, what information
is communicated with patients, and how outcomes are selected and
reported. Led by the
NIHR Bristol BRC Surgical Innovation team, the Lotus study uses
novel research methods to collaborate with surgical teams and
follow 'case studies' of innovation.
The RESTORE project
The RESTORE project (REsolution of Symptoms afTer
Oesophago-gastric Cancer REsection) aims to improve patients'
quality of life after surgery for oesophageal or gastric cancer. It
has involved a series of different pieces of work. These include a
questionnaire which asked patients what symptoms they had after
surgery and how important those symptoms were for their quality of
life. Another study has recently been completed to agree the
definitions, investigations and initial treatments for a range of
common problems after surgery. This work will help lay the
foundation for collaboration between teams treating these patients
in different hospitals, as well as further studies to show how
quality of life can be improved. A poster summarising this work
will be produced and is available by clicking on this link (link
will be updated when poster finalised).
