RESEARCH VISION
Patients undergoing surgery invariably experience a rapid health decline postoperatively, which is followed by a gradual return towards baseline (preoperative) health. Length of postoperative recovery (i.e. the time to return to preoperative health or ‘normal’) varies depending on patient characteristics, extension of surgery and occurrence of postoperative complications. Prolonged or incomplete postoperative recovery not only increases healthcare costs but is also associated with substantial burden to patients and caregivers (e.g. time away from work, leisure, family and social activities). Several perioperative interventions are proposed to improve recovery for patients, but for these to be adopted, they should increase the value of surgery – defined as health outcomes achieved relative to the cost of achieving those outcomes.
Our research program focusses on:
Developing and investigating novel and creative interventions to improve postoperative recovery and increase the value of surgery. This includes reorganization of perioperative care into pathways, novel surgical techniques, new pharmacological therapies, pre- and post-operative exercise interventions.
Creating innovative measurement strategies to value the process of postoperative recovery through patient-reported (e.g. self-report questionnaires), clinician-reported (e.g. readiness for hospital discharge) and performance-based (e.g. functional exercise tests) outcomes.
Assessing the economic aspects of surgical recovery, cost-effectiveness of interventions aimed to improve recovery and impact on healthcare and societal costs.
Comparative-effectiveness research and health technology assessment of surgical technologies, in particular those pertaining to MIS and colorectal surgery.
Current projects:
Long Term Outcomes of Short Course Radiotherapy Followed by Delayed Surgery for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Perioperative Hemodynamic Instability in Normotensive Pheochromocytoma Patients: A Case Series
The difference in gastrointestinal recovery between patients undergoing right-sided versus left-sided colectomy in patients undergoing colorectal surgery for cancer
The effect of prehabilitation compared to rehabilitation alone on oncological outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal surgery for cancer
Use of a Mobile App (CareSense) to Improve Patient-Physician Communication, Patient Engagement & Health Outcomes in Digestive Diseases
A Prospective Registry to Compare the Clinical, Functional, And Oncologic Outcomes After Abdominal or Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) For Rectal Resection
Defining the learning curve for transanal total mesorectal excision in a single institution
Determining patient preferences for a colorectal operation
Developing a Patient-reported Outcome (PRO) Instrument to Measure Recovery after Abdominal Surgery: Conceptual Framework and Item Generation
Does patient activation matter in surgery? The relationship between patient activation and postoperative outcomes
Experience with prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy for primarily-closed laparotomy incisions among general surgery patients at a tertiary care center
Identifying factors affecting surgery waits time for cancer -an internal McGill University Health Centre audit
Incidence of Postoperative Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Elective Colorectal Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study
Investigating the role of intestinal microbiome and gut inflammation in post-operative ileus
Long term effects of becoming a living kidney donor
Lymphatic mapping for colon cancer using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging
Opioid-free analgesia after outpatient surgery: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Per-oral Endoscopic Esophagomyotomy (Poem)
Prescription of Analgesics after postoperative hospital discharge: An International Survey
Reciprocal peer mentorship for practicing surgeons
The Predictors Of Opioid Use After Colectomy
Unplanned visits and Readmissions after Laparoscopic cholecystectomy An internal McGill University Health Centre audit
Watchful waiting of primary splenic cysts
