Global collaboration between platform trials in surgery and anaesthesia.

Large, randomised trials are the bedrock of evidence-based medicine, but the resources required to complete such trials greatly limit the number of important clinical questions that can be addressed within a reasonable period of time. Adaptive platform trials can identify effective, ineffective, or harmful treatments faster. These trials have been shown to deliver rapid evidence through the COVID-19 pandemic and are now being adopted across surgery and anaesthesia, with many opportunities for surgeons, anaesthetists, and other perioperative physicians to conduct and collaborate in platform trials.

Global collaboration between platform trials in surgery and anaesthesia.

Large, randomized trials are the bedrock of evidence-based medicine, but the resources required to complete such trials greatly limit the number of important clinical questions that can be addressed within a reasonable period of time. Adaptive platform trials can identify effective, ineffective, or harmful treatments faster. These trials have been shown to deliver rapid evidence through the COVID-19 pandemic and are now being adopted across surgery and anaesthesia, with many opportunities for surgeons, anaesthetists, and other perioperative physicians to conduct and collaborate in platform trials.

Understanding the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer outcomes: 12-Month follow-up data from the international, prospective COVIDSurg Cancer study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to report the 12-month oncological outcomes for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) within the prospective, international COVIDSurg Cancer study.

Patients And Methods: Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years and scheduled for elective surgical management of NMIBC with curative intent (transurethral resection of bladder tumour [TURBT] or bladder biopsy) from 21 January to 14 April 2020. The primary outcome was disease recurrence within 12 months of previous elective TURBT/bladder biopsy.

Economic Considerations in Designs and Modifications of Multiarm, Multistage Adaptive and Adaptive Platform Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Literature Review.

Objectives: There is uncertainty around whether, and under what circumstances, there is value in embedding economic considerations into multiarm, multistage (MAMS) adaptive, and adaptive platform trial designs. This systematic review was conducted to assess the analytical methods and factors that are considered when incorporating health economic analyses when designing and modifying MAMS adaptive and adaptive platform trials.

Methods: The review searched for health economic analyses, including planned analyses, of interventions assessed through MAMS adaptive, and adaptive platform trials.

Establishing Predictors of Acute Sarcopenia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study Utilising Network Analysis.

Dynamic changes in sarcopenia status following stressor events are defined as acute sarcopenia; it is currently unknown how to stratify risk. Prospective observational study involving elective colorectal surgery, emergency abdominal surgery, and medical patients with infections aged ≥70 years-old. Handgrip strength, muscle quantity (ultrasound Bilateral Anterior Thigh Thickness, BATT, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), and muscle quality (rectus femoris echogenicity) were measured preoperatively in the elective group, and within 48hours, 7days after, and 13weeks after admission/surgery.

Multi-arm multi-stage (MAMS) randomised selection designs: impact of treatment selection rules on the operating characteristics.

Background: Multi-arm multi-stage (MAMS) randomised trial designs have been proposed to evaluate multiple research questions in the confirmatory setting. In designs with several interventions, such as the 8-arm 3-stage ROSSINI-2 trial for preventing surgical wound infection, there are likely to be strict limits on the number of individuals that can be recruited or the funds available to support the protocol. These limitations may mean that not all research treatments can continue to accrue the required sample size for the definitive analysis of the primary outcome measure at the final stage.

Assessment of the quality of online patient information resources for patients considering parastomal hernia treatment.

Aim: The aim was to examine the quality of online patient information resources for patients considering parastomal hernia treatment.

Methods: A Google search was conducted using lay search terms for patient facing sources on parastomal hernia. The quality of the content was assessed using the validated DISCERN instrument.

Clinical statistical analysis plan for the ACCURE trial: the effect of appendectomy on the clinical course of ulcerative colitis, a randomised international multicentre trial.

Background: The primary treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) is medical therapy using a standard step-up approach. An appendectomy might modulate the clinical course of UC, decreasing the incidence of relapses and reducing need for medication. The objective of the ACCURE trial is to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy in addition to standard medical treatment in maintaining remission in UC patients.

The characteristics and predictors of mortality in periprosthetic fractures around the knee.

Aims: Periprosthetic fractures (PPFs) around the knee are challenging injuries. This study aims to describe the characteristics of knee PPFs and the impact of patient demographics, fracture types, and management modalities on in-hospital mortality.

Methods: Using a multicentre study design, independent of registry data, we included adult patients sustaining a PPF around a knee arthroplasty between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019.

Development and pilot testing of a patient-reported outcome measure to assess symptoms of parastomal hernia.

Aim: The aim was to develop and pilot a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess symptoms of parastomal hernia (PSH).

Methods: Standard questionnaire development was undertaken (phases 1-3). An initial list of questionnaire domains was identified from validated colorectal cancer PROMs and from semi-structured interviews with patients with a PSH and health professionals (phase 1).

Predictors of mortality in periprosthetic fractures of the hip: Results from the national PPF study.

Introduction: Periprosthetic fractures (PPFs) around the hip joint are increasing in prevalence. In this collaborative study, we aimed to investigate the impact of patient demographics, fracture characteristics, and modes of management on in-hospital mortality of PPFs involving the hip.

Methods: Using a multi-centre cohort study design, we retrospectively identified adults presenting with a PPF around the hip over a 10-year period.

Baseline Nutritional Status and In-Hospital Step Count are Associated with Muscle Quantity, Quality, and Function: Results of an Exploratory Study.

This exploratory study aimed to assess associations of baseline nutritional status and in-hospital step count with muscle quantity, quality, and function. Seventy-nine participants aged ≥70 years (mean age 79.1 years, 44.

Investigating the impact of fluid status on the ultrasound assessment of muscle quantity and quality in the diagnosis of sarcopenia - a multidimensional cross-sectional study.

Background: Sarcopenia is a clinical manifestation of adverse ageing, characterised by progressive loss of muscle mass and function. Diagnosis requires assessment of muscle quantity and quality; ultrasound represents an emerging tool for this. However, ultrasound muscle assessment may be impacted by fluid balance.

National Open Abdomen Audit (NOAA) - protocol for an observational audit of the use and management of the open abdomen in secondary care across Great Britain and Ireland.

Aim: Use of open abdomen (OA) remains an important life-saving manoeuvre in the management of trauma and the abdominal catastrophe. The National Open Abdomen Audit (NOAA) is an audit project investigating the indications, management, and subsequent outcomes of OA treatment throughout the UK. The aim is to generate a snapshot of practice which will inform the management of future patients and potentially reduce the significant harm that can be associated with OA.

A vascular multi-arm multi-stage trial to prevent groin wound surgical site infection: A feasibility survey.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is common following arterial surgery involving a groin incision. There is a lack of evidence regarding interventions to prevent groin wound SSI, therefore, a survey of vascular clinicians was undertaken to assess current opinion and practice, equipoise and feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participants at the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting were surveyed regarding three separate interventions designed to prevent SSI in the groin; impregnated incise drapes, diakylcarbomoyl chloride dressings and antibiotic impregnated collagen sponges.

DECIDE: Delphi Expert Consensus Statement on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Dysplasia Shared Management Decision-Making.

Background And Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease colitis-associated dysplasia is managed with either enhanced surveillance and endoscopic resection or prophylactic surgery. The rate of progression to cancer after a dysplasia diagnosis remains uncertain in many cases and patients have high thresholds for accepting proctocolectomy. Individualised discussion of management options is encouraged to take place between patients and their multidisciplinary teams for best outcomes.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon pancreatic cancer treatment (CONTACT Study): a UK national observational cohort study.

Introduction: CONTACT is a national multidisciplinary study assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon diagnostic and treatment pathways among patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: The treatment of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PDAC from a pre-COVID-19 pandemic cohort (07/01/2019-03/03/2019) were compared to a cohort diagnosed during the first wave of the UK pandemic ('COVID' cohort, 16/03/2020-10/05/2020), with 12-month follow-up.

Results: Among 984 patients (pre-COVID: n = 483, COVID: n = 501), the COVID cohort was less likely to receive staging investigations other than CT scanning (29.

An international assessment of surgeon practices in abdominal wound closure and surgical site infection prevention by the European Society for Coloproctology.

Aim: The burden of abdominal wound failure can be profound. Recent clinical guidelines have highlighted the heterogeneity of laparotomy closure techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate current midline closure techniques and practices for prevention of surgical site infection (SSI).

Surviving rectal cancer at the cost of a colostomy: global survey of long-term health-related quality of life in 10 countries.

Background: Colorectal cancer management may require an ostomy formation; however, a stoma may negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to compare generic and stoma-specific HRQoL in patients with a permanent colostomy after rectal cancer across different countries.

Method: A cross-sectional cohorts of patients with a colostomy after rectal cancer in Denmark, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, China, Portugal, Australia, Lithuania, Egypt, and Israel were invited to complete questionnaires regarding demographic and socioeconomic factors along with the Colostomy Impact (CI) score, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and five anchor questions assessing colostomy impact on HRQoL.

Induced frailty and acute sarcopenia are overlapping consequences of hospitalisation in older adults.

Objectives: To determine the effects of hospitalisation upon frailty and sarcopenia.

Methods: Prospective cohort study at single UK hospital including adults ≥70 years-old admitted for elective colorectal surgery, emergency abdominal surgery, or acute infections. Serial assessments for frailty (Fried, Frailty Index, Clinical Frailty Scale [CFS]), and sarcopenia (handgrip strength, ultrasound quadriceps and/or bioelectrical impedance analysis, and gait speed and/or Short Physical Performance Battery) were conducted at baseline, 7 days post-admission/post-operatively, and 13 weeks post-admission/post-operatively.

Postoperative Packing of Perianal Abscess Cavities (PPAC2): randomized clinical trial.

Background: Perianal abscess is common. Traditionally, postoperative perianal abscess cavities are managed with internal wound packing, a practice not supported by evidence. The aim of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to assess if non-packing is less painful and if it is associated with adverse outcomes.