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SUNRRiSE boosts Trainees’ skills
RACS Trainees gained valuable clinical research experience in an international study of the efficacy of negative pressure dressings after operations. More than 130 Australian surgeons, with their counterparts in the UK, gathered data in the SUNRRiSE (Single Use Negative pRessure dressing for Reduction In Surgical site infection following Emergency laparotomy) clinical trial. Trainees played a vital role in coordinating the study, in which 840 patients were recruited across health services in England, Scotland, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of negative pressure dressings on reducing infection following emergency laparotomy procedures, compared with regular dressings. Data collection for the multi-centre, randomised and controlled study began in 2020 with the results announced in April 2022.
The researchers found that the far more expensive negative pressure dressings, which cost up to $500 each (compared with about $20 for regular dressings) did not reduce the risk of infection.
Clinical Trial Coordinator, Kristy Atherton says the high level of involvement of Trainees in this study provided valuable experience for Trainee surgeons to develop their research skills.
These results will inform the use of negative pressure dressings after procedures, discouraging health service spending on a product that does not improve outcomes for patients.
“The SUNRRISE study provided quite a unique opportunity for Trainees to collaborate in an international clinical trial,” she says.
The study was the first time many of the Trainees involved had participated in clinical research. A survey of those who contributed to the study found that 60 per cent had either never been involved in clinical research before or had only been involved in one study in the past. More than 70 per cent of collaborators confirmed that the experience had broadened their clinical research skills and 95 per cent want to be involved in future clinical trials.
“The Trainees coordinated the research at a site level effectively and ensured that the data collected by their team was thoroughly checked, resulting in a highquality dataset, and clear study results. “It was exciting to be involved in a clinical trial with such an enthusiastic team of researchers, resulting in robust data that will be practice-changing.” Newcastle colorectal surgeon Associate Professor Peter Pockney says that while the outcome of the study was satisfying, it also played a crucial role in introducing Trainees—who led the data collection efforts—to clinical research. He says the experience would improve their ability to interpret research throughout their surgical careers. “In medicine there is this assumption and expectation that we use evidence-based research. But what is the quality and the power of the evidence?” he asks. “I believe that until you have really engaged with the research process in a systematic, organised and disciplined way, you don’t really understand the strengths and weaknesses of research.”
