NOVEMBER ISSUE 2016

With 2016 being the Institute of Academic Surgery biggest year to date and almost at a close, the Co-Chair's Professor Michael Solomon

& Professor Paul Bannon would like to thank all those who have made 2016 such a success.

To the SLHD & RPA Executive for their ongoing support and guidance, the SLHD Engineering Department and Capital Works team who

worked around the clock in getting our new facility complete, to the numerous clinical staff and students who work with us with

such enthusiasm and passion towards surgical education and research.

With our 2017 schedule already planned to include a Robotic Symposium, an Advanced GI Surgical Program, more think tanks and staff

heading to Kenya as part of our global health initiative, we are looking forward to an even bigger and busier 2017.

Congratulations

Professor Michael Solomon and Professor Paul Bannon were each recognised by the NSW branch of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) for their contribution to the surgical community being awarded the ‘Outstanding Service to Community

Award’. RACS NSW President Dr Raffi Qasabian presented Michael and Paul with their awards at the IAS on Friday 4 November 2016.

Ms Kate McBride, Prof Michael Solomon, Dr Payal Mukherjee, Dr Raffi Qasabian Ms Kate McBride, Prof Paul Bannon, Dr Payal Mukherjee, Dr Raffi Qasabian

Trevor McGowan was awarded Best First Time Presenter at the Transplant Nurses Association Conference in Adelaide. Trevor presentation was on a case study of a combined liver & kidney transplant performed with a planned subtotal colectomy for 3 high

grade dysplastic lesions. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome

The Institute of Academic Surgery warmly welcomes the following new members to the team;

Trevor McGowan A/Professor Ruban Thanigasalam Dr Scott Leslie

Facility Coordinator Research Lead - Robotic Surgery Research Lead -Robotic Surgery

Upcoming Events

Friday 2 December - Innovation Think Tank - 0830 – 1030AM

Save the date

Saturday 24 June 2017 - Sydney Robotic Symposium 2017: research & innovation

For more information about our upcoming events please contact the IAS directly

IAS.Admin@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Robotic Surgery

Following months of preparation, on Tuesday 2 August the first patient at RPA was treated on the da Vinci Xi robot by Professor

Michael Wilson as part of the cardiothoracic research project RoboCAB. This study is focusing on undertaking coronary artery

bypass grafting robotically using a step-wise approach with the ultimate aim to complete the entire procedure robotically. Seven

patients have been treated robotically to date with the robotic component of the procedure taking approximately 2 hours. Very

little cardiac or thoracic robotic surgery is being undertaken across Australia and this project will add vital evidence to the

knowledge base surrounding the effectiveness of robotic surgery in cardiac patients.

Following on from cardiothoracic, on Friday 7 October the first urology patient was treated robotically by Dr Scott Leslie as part of

the combined RPA and Concord Hospital research study focusing on radical prostatectomy. This study will compare surgical and

patient reported outcomes for patients treated robotically with those treated by the traditional open procedure. Whilst

approximately 80% of prostatectomies are now performed robotically in the private sector, the availability of the robot at RPA will

give public patients the opportunity to have access to robotically assisted surgical treatment as part of the research study.

First Robotic Urology Case at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

The gynaecology team, led by Dr Anthony Marren, will also be undertaking robotic surgery with their first research study on

hysterectomy and endometriosis surgery with a particular focus on determining the learning curve for the surgeons. Final ethics

approval for this study was granted in October with the surgical group planning to finalise their robotic training so they can

commence the study early in 2017.

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Advanced GI Surgical Program at RPA - Peritonectomy

On Wednesday 19 October the NSW Government announced they will establish a second state-wide peritonectomy service at RPA.

This was in response to the 2015 NSW Peritonectomy Services Planning Report, which recommended a second NSW public sector

peritonectomy service be established to meet current and future demand for the highly-specialised and complex surgical service.

Local health districts and networks interested in operating a second service were invited to put forward their proposals in August

2016 with a formal Evaluation Committee recommending RPA as the most-clinically appropriate site.

With RPA already being a centre of excellence for providing highly complex services and care to patients with gastrointestinal and

colorectal cancers, such as pelvic extenterations, the addition of peritonectomy will enable the formal establishment of an

Advanced GI Surgical Program at the hospital. This will include the development of a leading training program for advanced GI

nursing.

The Institute of Academic Surgery will be playing a leading role in establishing and coordinating the Advanced GI Surgical Program

at RPA including developing national and international research collaborations with other advanced GI centres.

In addition, on Wednesday 28 September the IAS was fortunate to arrange a visit from Professor Brendan Moran from Bassingstoke

UK, who kindly spoke to a multidisciplinary group of clinicians and managers at RPA about peritonectomy, particularly his

involvement in establishing the program in the UK. Professor Moran is a colorectal surgeon who specialises in peritonectomy and

has performed the most of these procedures in the world.

(L- R) Dr Nabila Ansari, Dr Kirk Austin, Dr Teresa Anderson,

Professor Brendan Moran, Dr Cherry Koh & Dr Kirsten Chappell

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Surgical Nursing Research

The first year IAS surgical nursing Research and Innovations Group (RIG1) is progressing through the program and are enjoying

learning about various aspects of research methodology each month.

A number of exciting research projects are being developed within the RIG2 group.The next session will be a chance for some of

the members to polish their abstract submissions for the November Nursing and Midwifery Research Symposium.

As mentioned, Trevor McGowan presented at the Transplant Nurses Association Conference in October in Adelaide. Trevor

presented a case study of a combined liver & kidney transplant performed with a planned subtotal colectomy for 3 high grade

dysplastic lesions and won 'Best First Time presenter' for his presentation. Trevor also presented at the Clinical Practice Forum at

RPA and won 'Best Presenter' across the three day forum.

Mr Trevor McGowan presenting at the Clinical Practice Forum at RPA

Director of Surgical Nursing Research, Kylie Duncan, was the key note speaker at the Clinical Practice Forum in November. Kylie presented on the theme change, challenge and collaboration

relevant to the IAS, focusing on the future of nursing.

Ms Kylie Duncan presenting at the Clinical Practice Forum at RPA

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Grant Development Group

An initiative from the Executive Director of Research, Professor Jane Young, has been the establishment of the monthly Grants

Development Group.

Having had many years of experience in writing and being awarded grants, Professor Young has developed the meetings to assist

surgical academics in the best way to build and develop their research protocols to be grant ready. Due to the competitive nature of

receiving funding and the work load associated with putting them together, the aim of the group is to allow for peer review and

discussion as well as assisting with time management of getting all the components of a grant built up throughout the year.

The group has had four academics present for peer evaluation and we are hoping to have two ready for NHMRC submission for

early 2017.

Deputy Director of SOuRCe, Dr Daniel Steffens presenting his grant for peer evaluation

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500th Pelvic Exenteration Morning Tea

On Friday 16 June a morning tea was held with patients and staff to celebrate the 500th Pelvic exenteration at RPA Hospital. We

believe this is the highest number of this type of surgery that has been undertaken in the one center anywhere in the world and

could not have been possible without the dedications and teamwork of all the multidisciplinary groups involved. Lead by the IAS Co-

Chair and Head of The Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe), Professor Michael Solomon, the hospital treats around 60

patients a year with high quality outcomes for patients.

Dr Teresa Anderson spoke at the morning tea and praised everyone in the team for their efforts in prvoding such complex and high

quality treatment to these patients . Prof Solomon reiterated the importance of everyone involved in the procedure and that it

cannot be done without the efforts of the team.

Pelvic Exenteration Colorectal Surgeons;

Professor Michael Solomon and Dr Kirk Austin

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IAS Building Opening

On Monday 16 May, NSW Minister for Health, Hon. Jillian Skinner officially opened the much awaited Institute of Academic Surgery

facility.

Housed in the old Heart Research Institute (HRI) on Missenden Road the facility is home to a surgical skills laboratory and the

newest simulation technology in a specially built simulation theatre.

Delegates included Professor Dame Marie Bashir and the University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Spence who were

in attendance to open the facility which will be used by the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), University of Sydney and industry to

teach surgical skills and training.

Mr David Fulton, Hon. Jillian Skinner, A/Prof David Storey, Professor Michael Spence, Professor Dame Marie Bashir & Dr Teresa Anderson

The facility also provides work space for medical students, surgical registrars and clinical staff undertaking research.

The opening also coincided with the opening of the RPA Transplant Institute, located in the same building, as well as the launch of

the SLHD Surgical Robotic Program.

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Global Health

On Friday 13 May, Sydney Local Health District and IAS met with the Kenyan High Commissioner, to discuss plans to work with

Kenyan Universities in assisting with surgical education and training. For the past year the IAS has been working alongside

consulting company, Latitude 4-40 in establishing connections with both Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi. The pro

bono Global health initiative is part of the IAS's Innovation, Value and Thought portfolio with the aim to better surgical education

and training on a global scale. The IAS along with the Baird Institute aim to further the training and education of cardiothoracic and

colorectal surgeons in East Africa. The program has engaged the support of the Kenyan Government to ensure free treatment for

those patients in need.

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IAS Surgical Skills & Simulation Facility

Since opening in May the Institute's Surgical Skills Laboratory has held a variety of courses. The first external course was held on

Thursday 1 September and was hosted by Dr Payal Saxsena in conjunction with two industry groups focusing on Endoscopy

techniques and equipment.

A high level workshop in therapeutic endoscopy has been successfully completed – this involved endoscopes provided by Pentax,

diathermy units provided by ERBE, and using isolated pig oesophagus and stomach suspended in custom made mannequin based

jigs.

Endoscopy POEM Course - September 2016 Laerdal SimMan Essentials in IAS Simulation Theatre

The Institute has had interest from both internal and external groups to lock in dates for courses in 2017.

Our simulation theatre has been fitted with Laerdal Simnewb and Simman simulation mannequins that will be used for simulation

training. Our Education Executives sat a two day training course run by Laerdal on how to operate the simulation mannequins.

These complex mannequins will be used by medical students and multidisciplinary clinical teams within the District for simulating a

variety of clinical and patient scenarios.

Laerdal SimMan Essentials in IAS Simulation Theatre

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3D Printing & Virtual Reality

IAS ENT Research Lead, Dr Payal Mukherjee and Honorary Appointee Mr Kai Cheng traveled to the Frontiers 2016 Conference, where Dr Mukherjee presented on 3D printing in surgery and Virtual Reality in surgical education.

3D prints & cutting guides on display at Frontiers 2016

Mr Kai Cheng has been working closely with a ENT and Head and Neck surgeons using 3D printing to better patient outcomes with

complicated and advanced mental protuberance tumours. Using CT scans, Mr Cheng has been able to print exact models of the patient with a 3D printer which then allows the surgeon to use the replica model to measure and source bone from another bone in

the patient's body and remold.

In October, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital saw the first 3D printed titanium sacrum/ sacral-iliac joint implanted into a pelvic exenteration patient. Although 3D printed titanium has been used in other parts of the body, Dr Paul Stalley, Dr Peter Lee and

Professor Michael Solomon are the first to use this technology within a pelvic exenteration procedure. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Muralogy 2016

The IAS mural competition ‘Muralogy’ has been named as a finalist for the Arts and Health category within the 2016 SLHD Quality Awards, which will be announced at the SLHD Annual General Meeting on Thursday 17 November.

Institute of Academic Surgery Building