Are patients with sustained inflammation after various renal surgeries, for urological problems, at increased risk of developing post-operative complications?

The number of urological patients in the UK having renal surgical interventions is increasing annually, and with the incidence of urological diseases, and subsequent renal surgical interventions, being so high, there are an increasing number of patients developing post-operative complications (e.g. infection and blood clots) following this type of surgery. Post-operative complications result in patients requiring longer hospital stays, poor patient experience and outcomes, as well as carrying additional financial constraints for the healthcare provider (NHS). Minor improvements in the monitoring of these patients following treatment (one of the anticipated potential outcomes from this research proposal) could possibly have financial benefits for the healthcare provider and health benefits for the nation.

The main aims of this proposed study is to test the hypothesis that various renal surgical interventions in urological patients (i.e. shock wave lithotripsy (external outpatient treatment using shock/soundwaves to break kidney stones) and partial nephrectomy (partial removal of small kidney cancers via an operation) result in changes to selective biomarkers (primary objective); and to determine any relationships/correlations between scientific and clinical outcome measures to monitor or predict the risk of patients developing post-operative complications (secondary objectives). This is a potentially practice changing study, as currently, only simple non-specific blood tests are available to predict post-operative complications after these renal interventions.

For more information, please visit: http://www.biomedicalcpd.com/#!nw2urc/c1st6

When applying for this study, please indicate to the University of Chester Graduate School - that this is for the attention of Dr Stephen Hughes (Department of Biological Sciences).