Mitochondrial Function in the Peri-operative Setting: an Observational Study
This study aims to understand how tiny parts of your body's cells, called mitochondria, behave before, during, and after major tummy surgery. Mitochondria are like your cells' powerhouses, and how well they work might affect how you recover from an operation. Doctors know that complications after surgery are common and can be very challenging for patients. Research has already shown that mitochondrial changes can help predict how well very sick patients in intensive care might do. This study will check if similar changes in mitochondrial activity can predict who is more likely to have problems after surgery. By taking breath, blood, and muscle samples, researchers will look for these changes. The goal is to help doctors better prepare patients for surgery and manage their care afterwards, reducing complications and improving recovery.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When you have major surgery, your body goes through a lot. Sometimes, even with the best care, people can experience complications afterward, which can make recovery harder. Doctors are always looking for ways to make surgery safer and ensure patients have the best possible outcome.
This study is focused on tiny parts of your cells called mitochondria. You can think of mitochondria as the power generators in each of your cells. They're essential for producing the energy your body needs to function. Previous research has hinted that changes in these mitochondria might be linked to how well people recover from serious illness. For example, in intensive care, mitochondrial changes can help doctors tell who is likely to get better and who might struggle. We believe these changes might also tell us something important about how people recover from major surgery.
We want to see if the way your mitochondria work changes around the time of surgery, and if these changes are connected to whether you experience complications afterward. By understanding this, doctors hope to get better at knowing which patients might need extra support before their operation, or if they need different care during and after surgery. Ultimately, this research aims to reduce complications and help more people recover smoothly after major operations.
Key takeaways
- Looks at how cellular 'power generators' (mitochondria) change around major surgery.
- Aims to predict who might be at higher risk of complications after an operation.
- Involves collecting breath, blood, and possibly muscle samples before and after surgery.
- Could help doctors better prepare and manage patients for future surgeries.
- This is an 'observational' study, meaning no new treatments or medications are given.
- Participation will not change your current medical treatment or care.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who are planning to have major tummy surgery, where they will need special lines (arterial and central venous lines) put in as part of their care. You would also need to be staying in hospital the day before your surgery, which is part of routine care for this type of operation.
To join, you must be willing to give blood and breath samples. Donating a small muscle sample, which would be taken while you are asleep during your operation, would be helpful but isn't a strict requirement to take part.
You cannot join if you are pregnant or have recently given birth (in the last six weeks), have had surgery in the past 28 days, or if you already have a known mitochondrial disease. Also, if you're already in another study looking at how your care is managed during surgery, or if you are currently unable to give your consent to participate due to incapacity, you wouldn't be able to join this one.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Are you having major tummy surgery that requires special lines (arterial and central venous lines)?
- Are you staying in hospital the day before your surgery as part of your normal care?
- Are you willing to give blood and breath samples?
- Are you not currently pregnant or have not given birth in the last 6 weeks?
- Have you not had surgery in the last 28 days?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, here's what it would involve:
* **Before Surgery:** You would be admitted to the hospital the day before your operation, which is standard practice for this type of surgery. On this day, researchers would take some breath and blood samples. * **During Surgery:** While you are asleep for your major tummy operation, the study team might take a tiny sample of muscle. This would only happen if you agree, and it won't involve any extra cuts. * **After Surgery:** For up to 7 days after your operation, researchers would continue to take breath and blood samples to see how your mitochondria are changing as you recover. The study team will also look at your routine clinical information (like pain levels, oxygen levels, and how long you stay in intensive care, if applicable) to see if it links to the mitochondrial changes.
There are no new medications or treatments involved; this is purely an observational study, meaning we are just collecting information. The total duration of active participation (sample collection) would be from the day before surgery up to 7 days after.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University Hospital SouthamptonVerified postcodeSouthampton, United Kingdom
Common questions
What are mitochondria?
Mitochondria are like tiny power generators inside nearly every cell in your body. They turn food into energy that your cells need to work properly.
Why is this study only looking at major tummy surgery?
Major tummy surgery can put a lot of stress on the body. We believe that mitochondrial changes might be most noticeable and impactful in these more demanding surgeries.
Will I receive any special treatment if I join?
No, this is an 'observational' study, meaning we are just collecting information and samples. You will receive the same high standard of care as any other patient having your surgery.
What happens to my samples after the study?
Your samples will be carefully analysed to study mitochondrial changes. They will be stored securely and used only for research related to this study, with your privacy protected.
Will knowing about my mitochondria affect my surgery?
Not for your current surgery. The aim is to gather information that could help improve surgical care and outcomes for patients in the future.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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