The first surgical trial supported by the RCSI National Surgical Research Support Centre (NSRSC) has been launched. The PROPEL-2 trial will investigate if a new type of wound dressing called Negative Pressure Wound Therapy is better than current standard wound dressings at reducing surgical wound infections, improving scar appearance and quality of life for patients having surgery on their abdomen.

The trial will also involve analysing the costs associated with the dressings themselves from a patient and healthcare perspective to decide which type of dressing should be used for these surgical wounds in future.

Led by surgeons Ms Claire Donohoe and Mr Noel Donlon, based at St James’ Hospital, Dublin this multi-site trial is currently open in five other hospitals and will ultimately be open in 14 hospitals across the country.

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