Project Archive

International Surgical Outcomes Study

This international project followed-on from the European Surgical Outcomes Study (EuSOS), which suggested that post-operative mortality may be higher than previously thought (4% overall) and that mortality may vary between nations suggesting preventable death. However, the EuSOS dataset did not include complications following surgery.

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ISOS was an international observational cohort study of complications following elective surgery, led by Dr Rupert Pearse with Dr Tamas Szakmany as the UK lead. Data collection took place between 19th and 26th May 2014.

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STAR was an official collaborating partner with eighteen trainees involved, drawn from six of the seven trusts in the region. Data was collected for approximately 460 patients across one week, contributing to the international total of 46,600 participants from 30 countries.

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Locally, a post-study survey showed that 87% of trainees found participating provided useful experience of clinical research and enabled them to obtain vital curriculum competencies in this area.

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The study results have been published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, from where it is available for download. All investigators, including participating STAR trainees, are named as members of the ISOS study group, the authors of the publication. Well done to all of you.

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The full reference is: The International Surgical Outcomes Study group. Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries. Br J Anaesth 2016; 117 (5): 601-609. doi: 10.1093/bja/aew316