Projects and achievements

CovidSurg-3

With the new Omicron variant and increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, chances of exposure to HCW and surgical patients have increased.

We are inviting EOI to participate in CovidSurg 3.

Learn more (PDF 48.93KB)

Current multi-centred studies:

• The Australia Aotearoa New Zealand arm of the global Hernias, Pathway and Planetary Outcomes for Inguinal Hernia Surgery (HIPPO) study was launched with A/Professor Amanda Dawson as Surgical Specialty Lead and principal point of contact.

Click here for more details regarding the HIPPO study.

• TASMAN our student led collaborative are partners of the EuroSurg Collaborative in the Acute Presentation of Colorectal Cancer: an international snapshot (APOLLO) study.

  Click here for more details regarding the APOLLO study.

POSTVenTT RCT

 An RCT of intravenous iron versus no treatment for anaemia after major surgery. This RCT builds on the large international audit currently underway, and a recent RCT led by CI Richards and reported in The Lancet. It is Australian-led, and supported by colleagues in the UK and Europe, and will determine whether administering intravenous iron in anaemic patients after major surgery improves recovery.

IMPOSTER

An RCT comparing the addition of intermittent pneumatic compression devices to standard chemoprophylaxis for prevention of venous thromboembolism following major abdominal surgery. This RCT will determine whether the use of single-use pneumatic compression devices following surgery is of value. A negative trial has potential to save the Australian health system millions of dollars each year. The trial will enrol 2500 patients.

ROSSINI-2 TRIAL

A phase III, multi-arm, multi-stage, pragmatic, double blinded international, multicentre RCT to evaluate the use of three interventions (alone or in combination) to reduce wound infection after abdominal surgery. This RCT builds on the success of the recent SUNRRISE trial and will provide high level evidence for the best strategy to prevent infection after major abdominal surgery. A successful outcome will reduce the length of hospital stay and save lives. Australia will contribute 1000 patients to this international RCT.

PROTECTinG RCT

An RCT of Preoperative versus Postoperative Chemical Thromboprophylaxis for Elective Cholecystectomy. Recently published audit study from the Victorian trainee collaborative has shown significant variation in timing of heparin prophylaxis after surgery and suggested that post-surgical bleeding is less likely if heparin is delayed for more than six hours after surgery. This RCT will address the timing question and provide evidence to standardise clinical practice.

Single Use Negative pRessure dressing for Reduction In Surgical site infection following Emergency laparotomy

Also known as SUNRRiSE, this study was supported by a MRFF-International Collaborative Clinical Trials grant for the Australian arm of the study led by Associate Professor Peter Pockney (CTANZ Surgical Specialty Lead). This trial compared a frequently used expensive proprietary wound dressing with conventional practice. Despite COVID restrictions in 2020, we completed a RCT addressing wound infection, and recruited 50 per cent more patients than originally planned, in half the expected time.

COVIDSurg - Globalsurg

The international links made through collaboration in UK and European originated collaborative studies (Imagine, Globalsurg 3, RECON, COMPASS) led directly to RACS Trainees participating in the global ‘COVIDSurg’ studies conducted against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver some of the largest clinical studies ever conducted.

CTANZ was the designated coordinating hub for the Oceania region for surgeons and Trainees registering participating hospitals, patient recruitment teams and data entry. In this region CTANZ Trainees led the ‘COVIDSurg week’ study which recruited 141,582 patients from 116 countries.

The international links made through collaboration in UK and European originated collaborative studies (Imagine, Globalsurg 3, RECON, COMPASS) led directly to RACS Trainees participating in the global ‘COVIDSurg’ studies conducted against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver some of the largest clinical studies ever conducted.

CTANZ was the designated coordinating hub for the Oceania region for surgeons and Trainees registering participating hospitals, patient recruitment teams and data entry. In this region CTANZ Trainees led the ‘COVIDSurg week’ study which recruited 141,582 patients from 116 countries.

May 2021

Research found that rural and Māori children are more likely to suffer from severe appendicitis than urban and non-Māori kids. This study was presented at RACS ASC 2021.

Parents delay rushing kids to hospital due to lack of care for siblings — study

March 2021

COVIDSurg discovered that patients waiting for elective surgery need to get a COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the general public to reduce the risk of post-operative deaths. We received radio coverage and some print coverage.

Elective surgery patients need COVID jabs now

October 2020

COVIDSurg found that setting up ‘COVID-19 free’ hospital areas for surgical patients could save lives during the additional waves of the pandemic – reducing the risk of death from lung infections associated with coronavirus. We received radio coverage and some print coverage.

COVID-19 free hospital areas could save lives after surgery a global study

May 2020

Major research study conducted by COVIDSurg on the return of elective surgery in 190 surgeries, published in The British Journal of Surgery.

The hidden wave: what happens when everything else is put on hold