Lap Surgery News

Research Projects ( Lap Surgery News )

LapSurgery Australia has a commitment to ongoing Research to allow us to contribute to understanding outcomes and develop best practice in our specialist fields.  Mr Chris Hensman (surgeon) and Ruth Bertuch (research nurse) head up the research conducted by LapSurgery Australia and other worldwide organisations such as Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute.

At present LapSurgery Australia is involved in the following Research Projects:

The HERO Study

"A Prospective, International, Multi-Centre Study of Clinical Outcomes and Estimated Healthcare Resource Expenditures Associated with the Treatment of Obesity using The LAP-BAND® AP Adjustable Gastric Banding System"

This study involves 60 volunteer patients from LapSurgery Australia (approximately 1,200 worldside) completing questionnaires and interviews at prescribed intervals over 5 years to collect information to further investigate the effectiveness and confirm the safety of the LAP-BAND® AP adjustable gsatric banding system in the treatment of obesity.

Axillary Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Study

This study hopes to prove that the quality of life of patients with Axillary Hyperhidrosis improves following ETS surgery through the use of a recognized measurement tool (questionnaire).  All patients are asked to complete the questionnaire at their first visit.

Exercise and Life Style Support Study

"The Effects of Exercise Training on Clinical and Functional Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding"

This study hopes to determine if a regular, supervised exercise program during the weight loss phase following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding enhances health and fitness to a greater extent than what is currently achieved with weight loss and the encouragment routinely provided in aftercare.  Recruting will begin in November 2011.

The following 4 studies are being undertaken with Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute and Monash University.

Hypertension Study

"A Study of the Effects of Weight Loss on Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease Risks"

This study looks at the links between Obesity and Hypertension and why Hypertension improves with weight loss in some people but not in others.  This is a 2 year study that is still recruiting, at present LapSurgery Australia has 25 patients participating.

Poly Peptide Study

"Do Pre-Operative Gastrointestinal Hormone Responses to a Standard Meal Predict the Weight Outcomes of LAP-BAND® Surgery?"

This study hopes to expand on previous research by involving a larger group of patients to discover the relationship between gastric hormones and successful weight loss after LAP-BAND® Surgery.  This study is still recruiting and at present LapSurgery Australia has 20 patients participating.

Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS) Study

This study investigates the effects interrupting the traffic in sympathectic nerves in ETS surgery has on the cardiovascular system and blood pressure.  There have been 22 participants from LapSurgery Australia so far in this ongoing study.

Changes in Men's Health after Bariatric Surgery

A Questionnaire based study

This study is to examine whether sexual function and overall quality of life will improve in men with severe obesity after sustained weight loss following Bariatric Surgery. This study has just commenced and LapSurgery Australia already has 5 patients participating.