Surgical innovation

Developing better ways to evaluate new surgical techniques and devices

Our aim is to transform the introduction and evaluation of novel and evolving invasive procedures including surgery and the use of devices. We aim to accelerate the implementation of safe and effective surgical techniques and devices as well as the rejection of those that are ineffective. This will be achieved by developing and applying new methods for efficient, safe and timely design and conduct of early phase studies in this area. We will also develop and secure funding for new studies evaluating innovative procedures and devices with integrated methodological research.The Surgical Innovation theme is linked to the Bristol Centre for Surgical Research (CSR), both of which are directed by Professor Jane Blazeby. This streamlines opportunities to design and deliver better ways of evaluating innovations (BRC work) before full evaluations of promising interventions within randomised controlled trials (CSR work).

Workstreams

Informed consent for new and evolving surgeries

We will be using survey, consensus and qualitative research methods to explore how to best provide information and informed consent to patients.

Early phase study design

Our plans based on our new work in this field and our surgical and methodological expertise and leadership.

Identifying active novel interventions

We will conduct a network meta-analysis (NWA), which enables the simultaneous comparison of multiple interventions in a single analysis.

Benefit and harm outcome of early phase studies

We aim to investigate whether it is possible to develop a core outcome set to use in early phase studies of trials of invasive procedures and/or devices.

Optimising outcomes after elective surgery

Our research is developing ways to support people through their joint replacement operations, so they can have the best change of a good outcome afterwards.

Improving outcomes after surgery

Improving outcomes after surgery using novel outlier prediction methods within the National Joint Registry.

Research case studies

The QuinteT Recruitment Intervention (QRI)

Making impossible trials of innovative surgical procedures possible.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)

Accurately and reliably measuring what matters to patients.

Improving early phase surgical studies

Developing methods to improve early phase studies of new surgical techniques, to inform the design and running of main trials.

Identifying failing implants

Over 100,000 hip replacements are performed annually in the NHS. Implants can fail, particularly in younger patients, and 8,000 need to be revised annually.