SUNRRISE

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Single Use Negative pRessure dressing for Reduction In Surgical site infection following Emergency laparotomy

• IRAS ID

  226765

• Contact name

  Richard J W Wilkin

• Contact email

  r.wilkin@bham.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Birmingham

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 3 months, 4 days

• Research summary

  Aim
  This study aims to test whether the use of a new type of active wound dressing (Single Use Negative Pressure Dressings ‘SUNPDs’) can reduce rates of wound infection (also called surgical site infection or ‘SSI’) after emergency surgery on the abdomen (tummy).

  Background
  Emergency abdominal operations are performed for a variety of life threatening indications, including bowel blockages or perforations, traumatic injuries and major infections. Patients are left with large wounds on the abdomen, at least 1 in 4 of which will become infected. These SSIs are painful and take longer to heal, often resulting in a longer hospital stay and greater need for further wound care in the community. In an already unwell patient, development of an SSI can contribute to other major medical complications or even death.
  The SUNPDs are a special type of closed wound dressing that have recently been developed. They provide gentle suction to the closed wound and may help prevent development of an SSI. Negative pressure dressings are already used for some types of wounds and have been proven to be safe. However, they are more expensive so we need to be sure that that they are effective in reducing SSI before widespread uptake can be recommended within the NHS.

  Methods
  We are proposing a study to compare these new dressings against standard dressings in patients undergoing emergency abdominal operations to establish whether they are effective in reducing SSI rates. We will compare the number of SSIs and the overall costs of treatment between the two groups and the acceptability of the dressings to both patients and health professionals.
  Our findings will be published in international medical journals so that they can help patients globally.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/YH/0322

• Date of REC Opinion

  4 Sep 2018

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion