Felicity Creamer

Funding

Funded by Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU & Helsinn

Supervisors

Prof KCH Fearon & Mr H Paterson, Edinburgh Colorectal Unit

Projects

• Pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of “Targinact” (oxycodone + naloxone) in combining adequate oral analgesia with early return of gut function after colorectal surgery.
• The impact of body composition on peri-operative outcomes in elective colorectal surgery.

Project 1 Summary

Previous analysis of postoperative outcomes in the Edinburgh Colorectal Unit has shown that one of the most important causes of prolonged hospital stay following elective colorectal surgery is gut dysfunction. Currently standard postoperative analgesia consists of oral opiates (oxycodone). This trial seeks to determine whether a preparation that combines oxycodone with oral naloxone (an opiate antagonist) can reduce the time to return of normal gut function.

Project 2 Summary

Sarcopenia is the loss of skeletal muscle which occurs as part of ageing, inactivity and chronic disease. Previous studies have shown that this muscle loss can negatively affect outcomes following surgery. Similarly it has been shown that body mass index (BMI) is a poor predictor of complications following surgery and that estimations of intra-abdominal fat volume may be more useful in risk stratification. This study has been designed to evaluate the incidence of sarcopenia and visceral obesity in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in Edinburgh by analysis of routine preoperative CT scans and to determine how this relates to postoperative outcomes.

Qualifications

• MRCS (Ed) 2008: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• MBChB 2006: University of Edinburgh
• BSc (Hons) Immunology 2003: University of Edinburgh