The GutBugs Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of the enteric microbiome and intestinal permeability on postoperative gut dysfunction in patients having right hemicolectomy
IRAS ID
261692
Contact name
Paul David MacKenzie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development, Royal Surrey County Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Around 2 in 10 patients experience a condition where their bowels stop working for a period following major abdominal surgery (Post-Operative Ileus). This can result in nausea, vomiting, intolerance of oral intake and delayed passage of wind and bowel motion. It usually resolves, but can be associated with serious complications, increased hospital stay and costs.
It is not clear what causes this condition, but inflammation in the bowel wall is thought to be integral to the process and recent studies have identified that the microbiome (the bugs which occur naturally within the gut) may play a role in such conditions.
This study aims to investigate whether there is any association between the species and numbers of bacteria which reside within the gut and development of POI. The study will recruit 200 patients (from 4 different NHS sites) undergoing a right hemicolectomy for bowel cancer. In this procedure the last part of the small bowel and first part of the colon is removed. A small tissue sample will be obtained from each end of the removed specimen. These samples will undergo a test called “DNA sequencing” which allows identification of microbes present and in what frequency.
Patients will be asked to keep a post-operative diary card, recording symptoms, tolerance of oral diet and bowel passage. This will be used to record return of gut function and identify those who develop POI.
In a further sub-study at one centre, fifty patients will have pre-operative rectal swabs for microbiome analysis, pre-operative bowel permeability studies and pre-and post-operative blood and urine tests. These tests will allow us to identify if there are any potential “marker tests” for POI and to see if “gut leakiness” plays a role.
‘GutBugs’ will further our understanding of POI and may lead to the development preventative measures and treatments.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0249
Date of REC Opinion
27 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion