Trials
We are supporting surgeons undertaking feasibility trials with the potential to progress to evaluation through a full definitive trial. The purpose of a feasibility trial is to ask if something can be done, if it is necessary and should proceed and if so, how.
Investigators receive supports such as trial set-up, training, trial coordination and data analysis.
| Trial title | Chief investigator | Trainee investigator | Centres | Trial summary |
| Propel-2 | Claire Donohoe (SJH) | Noel Donlon | 13 | Prevention of surgical site infection in patients undergoing laparotomy |
| Envelop | Sean T. Martin (SVUH) | Éanna J. Ryan | 10 | Wound care management for pilonidal sinus disease |
| TapBlock | Arnold Hill (BH) | Sami Abd Elwahab, Achille Mastrosimone | 3 | Pain relief management during surgery for acute appendicitis |
| Pinta | Stewart Walsh (UHG) | Megan Foley | 8 | Prevention of surgical site infection in patients undergoing major limb amputations |
| Embolisation MMAE | Mohsen Javadpour (BH) | Jack Henry | 1 | Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolisation for chronic subdural haematoma |
| MetaMet | Stewart Walsh (UHG) | Megan Foley | 1 | Comparing amputation techniques for irretrievable diabetic foot infection |
| The Oat Trial | Helen Heneghan (SVUH) | Czara Kennedy | 3 | Assessing deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery |
| Heats | Stewart Walsh (UHG) | Nathalie Doolan | 1 | Improvement of successful cannulation to reduce pain for varicose vein surgery |
We want to offer patients in Ireland the opportunity to partake in international surgical trials and research.
For Irish investigators who want to join existing international surgical trials, the RCSI NSRSC can provide local sponsorship and national trial coordination to open these trials in Ireland.
| Trial title | Principal investigator (IRL) | International collaborators | Irish centres | Trial summary |
| ML-UTUC | Louise McLoughlin (SJH) | Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada | 12 | Investigating the application of machine learning to improve diagnosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma |
| SAFE | Ronan Kelly, Gráinne Keenan (UHG) | Population Health Research Institute, Ontario, Canada | 3 | Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation efficacy trial |
| ANTEC | Prof Aoife Lowery (UHG) | Royal Derby Hospital, UK | 10 | Axillary management in cT1-3N1M0 breast cancer patients with needle biopsy |
We aim to encourage trainee and early career surgeons to conduct surgical research and trials so that it becomes an integral component of their career.
The Surgical Trial Embark Award provides support to trainee and early career surgeons to conduct their own investigator-led trial.
| Trial title | Chief investigator | Trainee investigator | Centres | Trial summary |
| ACHILLS | James Walsh (Beaumont) | Ramy Elkady | Ireland (3) | Application of cerament in heel infection for lower limb salvage |
| SARONG-II | Jessie Elliott (SJH/TCD) | Nicola Raftery | Ireland (4), Sweden (5), Norway (4), Germany (1) |
Intensive surveillance vs standard postoperative follow-up in patients undergoing surgical resection for oesophageal and gastric cancer |
Get in touch
If you are interested in getting involved in a surgical trial, please contact us to see how we can support you.Email: NSRSC@rcsi.ie