One stop shop for plastic surgery trainees established

Plastic surgery is a problem-solving specialty that manipulates and repurposes cells, tissues and organs to achieve its goals across a broad spectrum of anatomical sites and disease states. There is a strong focus on developing new and novel techniques and technologies to address unmet clinical needs in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. However, like many specialties, it has been difficult to coordinate research efforts across multiple centres to generate high-impact, clinically relevant research, as evidenced by the quality and low proportion (3.2 per cent) of randomised controlled clinical trials in plastic surgery research.1, 2 The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has endorsed the creation of Australasian Clinical Trials in Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (ACTPRAS) to encourage high-quality research output, a development supported by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ Clinical Trials Network Australia and New Zealand (CTANZ). ACTPRAS is a one stop shop for trainees seeking to get involved in clinical trials in plastic surgery. There are roles in each study for medical students, preSET and SET Trainees, and consultants. It is a central portal for ideas through an interactive platform (found at www.actpras.com). Our trainees are supported by academic surgeon and surgical specialty lead Mr Michael Findlay as ACTPRAS provides and collates opportunities for research, a forum for ideas, and a platform to disseminate results in conjunction with local, national and international colleagues. Since its inception in 2020, ACTPRAS has engaged 300 followers through online media accounts and coordinated two international studies, partnering with the United Kingdom Reconstructive Surgery Trials Network. The first, CANVAS, a service evaluation focusing on absorbable versus nonabsorbable sutures after skin lesion excision, has run since August 2020 with 16 collaborators. CANVAS has engaged plastic surgeons, plastic surgery trainees, Australian General Practitioners, ear, nose and throat surgeons and dermatologists to ascertain current suture choice in modern practice. Along with the United Kingdom networks, 100 clinician surveys and data on 1000 unique patients have been collected.

The second project, CIPHUR, is a service evaluation examining chlorhexidine vs. betadine for upper limb surgery. Out of 300 data collectors worldwide, 26 Australasian plastics and Orthopaedic Surgery contributors have been recruited.

Future projects include: AWAKE, a study on the efficacy of WALANT surgery, and ABACUS, a study of the ReCell® sprayon-skin system.

One stop shop for plastic surgery trainees established

In conjunction with partner organisations, we are developing suitable resources to assist researchers to develop successful studies, identify potential collaborators and participate in others’ studies. ACTPRAS should be a starting point for trainees and medical students interested in research. It forms an essential resource for more experienced clinicians to expand their research horizons and broaden their impact across Australia and New Zealand, as well as internationally.

Dr Guy Stanley

Mr Michael Findlay FRACS

Mr Cody Frear

REFERENCES

1.Agha RA et al. Randomised controlled trials in plastic surgery: a systematic review of reporting quality. Eur J Plast Surg. 2013, October, 10;37(2014):55–62. doi: 10.1007/s00238-013-0893-5 2. Chang EY et al. Quality of clinical studies in aesthetic surgery journals: a 10-year review. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2009, March; 29(2): 144-147. doi: 10.1016/j.asj.2008.12.007