Welcome to the Research Hub

ESCP is committed to seeing a growth in European collaboration to deliver high-quality research in coloproctology. This Research Hub contains resources designed to promote this aim, such as our highly successful multicentre snap-shot audits and international trials portfolio map.

Our regular 'Paper of the Month' features the latest internationally-significant developments in clinical and basic research.

Members are invited to contribute to the case reports forum with individual colorectal surgical cases. We encourage members to submit case reports that they feel would be interesting and valuable to their colleagues internationally.

The core aims of the ESCP Research Committee are:

  • To deliver better care for patients through the promotion and support of clinical and translational research in all areas of coloproctology
  • To broaden engagement of ESCP members across all countries in clinical and translational research
  • To develop platforms and infrastructure support for international studies
  • To make the ESCP the leading global organisation for multinational colorectal surgical research

To deliver these core objectives, the committee will:

  • Provide an annual symposium to promote new European trials
  • Provide resources and support for core training in basic trial design and methodology for its members
  • Develop a network of trained clinicians to facilitate multi-national randomised trials and cohort studies
  • Support language translation of trial protocols and submission, through ‘ethics committees’, of multinational trials between our European partners

Research Committee Update, September 2023

Thomas Pinkney, Chair of Research reports

The ESCP research portfolio moves from strength to strength and this year continues to be busier than ever. We have a many new committee members representing all areas of the world, young and older and male and female. We also have our first PPI committee rep. Our website presence is expanding with major updates to the trials map and we have instigated further infrastructure to address our work with industry and global ambitions. These measures are reflected in a phenomenal portfolio of studies which I highlight below:The ESCP research portfolio moves from strength to strength and this year has been busier than ever. We have a many new committee members representing all areas of Europe, young and older and male and female. We also have our first PPI committee rep. Our website presence is expanding with major updates to the trials map and we have instigated further infrastructure to address our work with industry and global ambitions. These measures are reflected in a phenomenal portfolio of studies which I highlight below:

1) Our ever expanding portfolio of randomised trials and cohort studies

ESCP trials:

  • EAGLE: quality improvement study for anastomosis at right hemicolectomy with ground-breaking cluster randomised design and international scope. 371 centres from 67 countries worldwide participated in this landmark study and the first publications are currently being drafted for submission. EAGLE continues to extend its wings with new networks established as part of study, notably in Latin America.
  • WOLVERINE: Wound Closure and Surgical Site Infection Prevention Strategies in Abdominal Surgery: global multi-centre interventional study being planned to start in 2024.

ESCP cohort studies:

We have built on the highly successful snapshot audits to develop prospective longitudinal designs:

  • PROPHER: International prospective cohort study of parastomal hernia treatment with digital and personalised patient-reported outcomes
  • RESET and MIRCAST: ESCP-supported cohort studies looking at outcomes after robotic approaches to colorectal surgery.

ESCP snapshot audits:

  • DAMASCUS: 6248 patients from 273 units across 43 countries in every major continent. A first manuscript is being drafted after major international plenary presentations.
  • EAST OF DAMASCUS: following on from DAMASCUS, this explored whether international variation in practice exists in the management of patients presenting with acute diverticulitis
  • FAECAL INCONTINENCE AUDIT: exploring incidence of FI in patients attending colorectal surgical clinics, treatment choices and accessibility to diagnostic tools / advanced treatments across an international cohort. This will seek to answer key questions about the scale of this problem worldwide as well as access to expertise and therapies.
  • CORREA: 3500 patients were entered into this audit to determine whether anastomotic technique impacts upon post-operative outcomes. Data is currently being analysed prior to the first publications later this year.

Interested clinicians are warmly invited to sign-up to the ESCP newsletter and to follow-up on Twitter for more information on how to participate.

2) Our expanding engagement around the globe in these studies

With the ongoing leadership of Dion Morton (UK) and Simon Ng (Hong Kong), we now have a ‘nascent’ global reach committee to reflect ESCP’s increasing presence around the world in both research and education. This committee meets regularly and is building an exciting future global agenda for our society. In Dublin we hosted our first Global Reach Symposium to showcase the work of the Committee, with free virtual attendance offered to everyone. Regular webinars and other activities continue to help us attract funding and evolve further new worldwide partners.

3) Our increased industry funding and support

We have been very fortunate to build collaboration arrangements with several industry sponsors who are helping fund some of the major trial initiatives above via unrestricted educational grant awards. You know who you are - thank you again for your ongoing commitment to ESCP.

4) The quality and success of research sessions at our annual meeting in Vilnius, September 2023

It was wonderful to see so many colleagues at our annual conference in Vilnius. Six research focused sessions were on the agenda featuring the latest research, studies and techniques in colorectal science. There were also many other symposiums, sessions, Q&As, guidelines, industry workshops and discussions which were all delivered by a diverse panel of experts.

Finally, I would like to thank all members of the ESCP research and cohort committees for their time and dedication including those who have demitted office this year.

The Research Committee is looking forward to further advances in colorectal care and research in 2023 and beyond.

Thomas Pinkney
Research Committee Chair, on behalf of the Research Committee

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