Quality of new European coloproctology clinical research showcased
The European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) has announced the winner of it best abstract research paper as the EPIC trial, which compared the effect of caesarean and vaginal delivery on anal incontinence in women at its annual conference this week in Berlin.
The result was hotly contested as the quality and quantity of papers was greater than ever before with over 900 abstracts submitted.
Laurent Abramowitz was confirmed as the winner on the back of his presentation at the ‘Six Best Papers’ session at the event which is attended and voted on by specialists from throughout Europe. As the winner they are invited to present the abstract at the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) meeting in Nashville, TN in May 2018.
The EPIC paper found that among women with sphincter disruption after first delivery, caesarean section reduced the incidence of transient anal incontinence following the second delivery. The trial was a multicentre randomised controlled trial conducted in France.
The five runners up include:
- ‘Coffee accelerates recovery of bowel function after elective colon resection: a randomized controlled trial’ - Andreas Keerl (Switzerland)
- ‘Long-term risk of cancer following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis’ - Anders Mark-Christensen (Denmark)
- ‘The Rectal Cancer Female Sexuality score: development and validation of a scoring system for female sexual function after rectal cancer surgery’ - Anne Thyø (Denmark)
- ‘Safety and feasibility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced, resectable colon cancer based on the phase III of a randomised controlled trial’ - FOxTROT Collaborative Group (UK)
- ‘Oncological outcomes after anastomotic leakage following surgery for rectal cancer in a randomized trial (COLOR II): increased risk of recurrence?’ - Thomas Koedam (The Netherlands)
Professor Emmanuel Tiret, President of the ESCP said:
“The standard of papers submitted this year was better than ever and the six best represent the diverse studies being undertaken within the different fields of coloproctology. This aspect of the ESCP’s annual gathering of specialists from across Europe is hugely important as it showcases the clinical research being performed in Europe, advancing the science, knowledge and proactive of coloproctology. This will ultimately benefit the patients we are treating.”
Professor Anna Martling, Chair of the ESCP Programme Committee added:
“There is an increased scientific quality in the submitted contributions, with many research results being presented for the first time here at the ESCP meeting in Berlin.
“The selection process is rigorous, transparent and fair - including expert reviewers in each subject area as well as further rounds of judging before the final six are identified. They all then present at the conference and are graded by an additional independent assessment panel. In addition to scientific quality, the panel also considers the quality of the presentation and the ability of the speaker to answer questions and discuss the scientific findings.
“Laurent Abramowitz has proved through this process to be a worthy winner of the Best ESCP Paper 2017.”