Developing A New Glaucoma Surgery Using Precision Ablation Of The Trabecular Meshwork And Inner Wall Of Schlemm’s Canal
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$653,606.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a major sight threatening disease in our community, affecting an estimated 60 million people worldwide. This project investigates a new laser based method for reducing intraocular pressure, the major risk factor in glaucoma. The novel approach is to create a selectable number of drainage channels for excess fluid in the eye to drain away, thereby restoring normal intraocular pressure.
CROSSFIRE: Combined Randomised And Observational Study Of Surgery For Fractures In The Distal Radius In The Elderly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,077.00
Summary
Fractures (breaks) near the wrist are the most common fractures treated. Treatment previously consisted of straightening and plaster casting in the emergency department, but standard treatment now includes admission to hospital and surgery to apply a plate and screws to the bone. The best evidence we have (which is limited) is that surgical plating does not provide important benefits over plastering. We aim to perform a multicentre trial comparing plating to plaster for these common fractures.
Delayed Loss Of Acoustic Hearing After Cochlear Implantation: Mechanisms And Clinical Identification With New Cochlear Implant Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,040,157.00
Summary
Natural hearing can be combined with a cochlear implant to improve sound quality and speech understanding. However, natural hearing frequently deteriorates weeks to months after cochlear implantation. This seems to occur when cochlear fluid buildup (hydrops) or fibrosis within the inner ear disrupts cochlear mechanics. We plan to monitor these processes in patients by recording directly from the cochlear implant, and conduct laboratory experiments to find therapies to alleviate their effects.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Surgical Skin Preparation For Prevention Of Superficial Wound Complications In Prosthetic Hip And Knee Replacement Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,128.00
Summary
The demand for prosthetic joint replacement surgery will double over the next decade. Complications involving the surgical wound are a devastating complication of this surgery. This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether skin cleansing prior to surgical incision with alcoholic iodine reduces the number of patients with superficial wound complications when compared to alcoholic chlorhexidine. The study will be performed in patients undergoing orthopaedic joint replacement surgery ....The demand for prosthetic joint replacement surgery will double over the next decade. Complications involving the surgical wound are a devastating complication of this surgery. This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether skin cleansing prior to surgical incision with alcoholic iodine reduces the number of patients with superficial wound complications when compared to alcoholic chlorhexidine. The study will be performed in patients undergoing orthopaedic joint replacement surgery: a high volume, high cost surgery.Read moreRead less
Non-invasive Methods For Localising Epileptic Brain Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$662,889.00
Summary
Drug-resistant epilepsy, which arises from areas of damaged brain surface, affects 20 million people. A major challenge is the accurate identification of the location of seizure origin. We will measure the brain's electrical activity (EEG) and changes in blood oxygenation (fMRI), and combine both using advanced mathematical techniques in order to non-invasively pinpoint damaged regions for targeted removal or implantation of a seizure control device.
The Arthroplasty Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (ASAP) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,509,985.00
Summary
The demand for total joint replacement surgery will double over the next decade. Infection involving the surgical wound is a devastating complication of this surgery. Half of all infections are due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus (such as MRSA) and Enterococcus. This multicentre randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether the addition of vancomycin at the time of surgery reduces the incidence of surgical wound infections; is safe and is cost-effective.
‘Granny was never the same after her operation’ is a strong public perception. These reports of persistent memory and concentration loss following surgery are now supported by a body of scientific research recording an incidence of ‘postoperative cognitive decline’ (POCD) as high as 75% in cardiac surgery patients. At present the cause is unknown but recently anaesthesia has been implicated. Our research team will investigate these claims.
Building Tissue Engineered Flaps For Surgical Reconstruction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$548,453.00
Summary
As a result of serious trauma, burns or cancer surgery, large areas of new skin may be required. Of the three major skin layers - epidermal and dermal replacements are available clinically, but the third layer - the underlying fat tissue layer is yet to be developed. This project has devised a novel product to rapidly recreate the skin fat layer and additionally rapidly grow new blood vessels in these layers which will enable excellent skin coverage in all forms of major skin loss.
Protecting Fatty Livers From Hepatic Ischemia-reperfusion Injury In Liver Surgery And Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,960.00
Summary
About one third of the population have a fatty liver, and this greatly increases risks of liver failure after liver surgery or when fatty donor livers are used for transplantation (such organs are currently disposed of). The disease process is called ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The investigators have recently shown that both fibrates and statins provide partial protection against IRI in fatty livers. This research is directed at establish the protective mechanisms, and whether combination ....About one third of the population have a fatty liver, and this greatly increases risks of liver failure after liver surgery or when fatty donor livers are used for transplantation (such organs are currently disposed of). The disease process is called ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The investigators have recently shown that both fibrates and statins provide partial protection against IRI in fatty livers. This research is directed at establish the protective mechanisms, and whether combination drugs are more effective.Read moreRead less
Surgery For The Treatment Of Otitis Media In Indigenous Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,870,120.00
Summary
Ear infection (otitis media) is a major problem amongst children living in remote Australian communities. Medical treatment often fails, and ear nose and throat surgeons are called upon to provide surgical care. This clinical trial will provide surgeons with evidence so that they can recommend the best possible operation for children living in desert and tropical regions, most of whom are indigenous, to improve hearing and reduce the prevalence of ear infection and discharging ears.