Volatile biomarker detection of anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
VERDDICT - VolatilE biomarkeR Detection of anastomotic Dehiscence In ColorecTal surgery
IRAS ID
197310
Contact name
Nader Francis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 23 days
Research summary
Surgery offers the best chance of cure and therefore the mainstay of treatment for the 40,000 people diagnosed annually with bowel cancer in the UK. 40% of people undergoing major bowel surgery experience problems in the first few weeks of their recovery. This can result in a delay in discharge from hospital, return to normal life and may be potentially serious. Early detection of problems is crucial but can prove difficult. Recent research suggests clues can be found by looking at the natural gases we all breathe out. We propose trialing a breath test to look for warning signs after bowel surgery. This has never been studied before except in 17 patients we investigated at our center to prove we can perform this research. The initial pilot study confirmed the feasibility of collecting the samples from patients after surgery and testing for bacterial growth after colorectal surgery. This study is an extension to our initial pilot study (Volatile Biomarker Detection of Anastomotic Dehiscence REC 14/EM/1170)\n\nA further 70 patients undergoing bowel surgery at Yeovil District Hospital will be invited to take part in this research. For three days, a single breath sample will be collected prior and after surgery and tested. This does not alter the care of that patient or change the decisions of the team caring for that patient. Information about each patient’s recovery will also be recorded anonymously. The samples will be analysed at the University of the West of England in an identical way to our previous work.\n\nOur study will investigate whether breath samples from patients after bowel surgery show early evidence of problems before symptoms develop. If this works, it provides a quick and convenient bed side test allowing earlier treatments for complications.\n
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
16/NS/0013
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion