Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the achievements and milestones of the past year. In this edition, we highlight the accomplishments of 2024 for the WRSC and look to our future plans for 2025. This past year was marked by significant progress, including the publication of a collaborative study, the launch of a new project, and strategic planning for the future. We extend our gratitude to our collaborators for their dedication and hard work, none of this would be possible without you, and we look forward to continuing our partnerships in the year ahead.
MAGIC – Management of Acute surgical absCesses
Published in August 2024 in the British Journal of Surgery, MAGIC is a prospective national collaborative study which aimed to explore the management of subcutaneous abscesses in emergency surgical practice in the UK. MAGIC saw the collaboration of 54 hospitals nationwide, all of whom contributed to the study. This research highlights significant variation nationwide in clinical practice, particularly concerning the method of anaesthesia (local vs general), the inconsistent use of post-operative antibiotics and packing. The research has set a clear focus for future research to develop evidence-based protocols to enhance patient care and optimise resource utilisation in the management of subcutaneous abscesses. The WRSC have since presented this research to the Royal College of Surgeons of England’s Recovery Research Group in December of last year.
MAMA – MAnageMent of acute Appendicitis in pregnancy
February 2024 saw the WRSC and UK Audit & Research collaborative in Obstetrics and & Gynaecology launch the next collaborative study. The retrospective study aims to address the management of appendicitis in pregnancy. So far nearly 70 sites have signed up to participate in this UK-wide study. This study sees the collaboration of two research groups from different specialities work together to help address this important topic. There is still time to register and sign up for any interested parties via the following links:
Further information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CUngwPUGEDiUzywS_fXI1EG8FpOXHo5e/view
Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdThMQUCtPV3SmIdxSbV1ynA9lniiSGIHM_MNUk-yaezjbdQg/viewform)
If you have any further questions feel free to email mama.study2024@gmail.com
Leeds Hospitals Charity Grant
In October 2024 the WRSC were successful in receiving a £9923.04 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity. We are grateful to the Leeds Hospitals Charity for their generous grant, and have so far used the funding to produce a new website. We aim to use the funding to continue to produce regular newsletters, provide access to secure database software for future projects, and provide funds to share and learn from our research findings.
Future Projects to Look Out For
The WRSC are continuously striving to deliver research in under-researched or contentious areas of general surgery. We are in the process of developing future collaborative audits so keep your eyes peeled on our website, newsletter or on X for further information when these projects launch.
