Table 2 Final list of questions following prioritisation in Phase 2
From: Research priorities in emergency general surgery (EGS): a modified Delphi approach
General EGS | |
Which pre- or post-operative interventions improve clinical outcomes in patients with frailty after emergency surgery? | |
How can training be improved to meet emergency general surgery demand, including open surgery? | |
What is the impact of emergency laparotomy on quality of life in frail patients? | |
What are the best predictors of adverse outcomes and mortality in older adults presenting with emergency general surgery pathology? | |
How does small bites closure compare to traditional mass closure in the emergency setting (wound infection, fascial dehiscence and incisional hernia rates)? | |
Emergency colorectal surgery | |
Does a formal cancer resection improve disease-free and overall survival in perforated or obstructing emergency colorectal cancer resections? | |
How do stent, stoma or immediate resection for obstructing colorectal cancers compare? | |
What are the absolute risks of anastomotic leak following emergency small bowel/large bowel anastomosis, and the relative importance of risk factors? | |
How can we optimise the rate of reversal of Hartmann’s when performed as an emergency and what are the predictive factors in those who are subsequently reversed? | |
Does a laparoscopic approach for adhesional small bowel obstruction reduce the risk of recurrence, and how do we identify those who would benefit most from laparoscopic approach? | |
Non-technical | |
Which human/organisational factors cause inefficiency in a dedicated emergency theatre? | |
Health service related | |
Are emergency surgical outcomes improved with perioperative physician or geriatrician input? | |
Is there a need for an ‘Emergency Surgery’ sub-specialisation? | |
Is there a volume–outcome relationship for emergency surgery? | |
What is the value of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes for EGS patients, compared to standard management? | |
Which patients derive the greatest benefit from routine high-dependency unit (HDU)/intensive treatment unit (ITU) care after emergency surgery? | |
Should patients have extended venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after an emergency laparotomy with or without resection? |