Current Studies
The Surgery Group of Los Angeles Research Foundation currently has ten ongoing longitudinal studies:
Does caffeine intake from coffee enhance bowel recovery after colorectal surgery (Coffee-1)
GeneFx Colon Field Experience Survey (GeneFx-1)
Anal Fistula Plug in Crohn’s patients: A Meta Analysis (Crohn's Fistula-1)
Acute diverticulitis in transplant patients (Diverticulitis-1)
Total versus hand assisted laparoscopic right colectomy – Short term outcomes (Colectomy-I)
Fecalization as predictor of treatment algorithm for small bowel obstruction (Fecalization-I)
Prospective Outcome Based Robotic Colorectal Surgery Registry (Robot-1)
Is Sacral Nerve Stimulation an effective treatment for chronic pelvic pain and constipation (Stimulator-1)
Presentation, evaluation and treatment of colonic diverticulitis complicated by liver abscesses – Meta Analysis (Abscesses-1)
A Comparison of Ultrasound Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Nerve Block Technique Versus Laparoscopic Transversus Abdominis Plane Nerve Block Technique Versus No Block on Postoperative Opioid Consumption after Major Colorectal Surgery (Nerve Block-1).
For information about enrollment in one of our research projects please contact us at: (310) 289-1518
Does caffeine intake from coffee enhance bowel recovery after colorectal surgery (Caffeine-1)
The effects of coffee have been shown to act as a colonic stimulant. Caffeinated coffee stimulates colonic activity, most notably in the transverse/descending colon, in magnitude similar to a meal, 60% stronger than water, and 23% stronger than decaffeinated coffee. [1]Moreover, the consumption of both water and caffeine causes a decrease in the rectal sensory threshold for the desire to defecate, while anal sphincter pressure after caffeine intake is significantly higher than after water intake.
Study’s primary objective: To determine if the use of coffee in the postoperative period will reduce time to recovery of GI function by at least one day in patients undergoing elective colorectal operations.
GeneFx Colon Field Experience Survey (GeneFx-1)
GeneFx-Colon is a 634-transcript DNA microarray-based signature developed for Stage II colon cancer using FFPE specimens. The assay identifies patients at higher risk of recurrence following surgery within 5 years. This test is not to be used independently for purposes of medical diagnosis, prognosis, or as the basis for making therapeutic decisions, but may be used in conjunction with other recognized tools.
We wish to conduct a research survey where we will be asking our physicians how the test results are being utilized vs traditional histo-factors to determine recurrence risk and treat/not treat.
Anal Fistula Plug in Crohn’s patients: A Meta Analysis (Crohn’s Fistula-1)
Treatment of fistula-in-ano in the setting of Crohn’s disease is challenging. Given limited treatment option, surgeons have used anal fistula plug. Nevertheless, data regarding its efficacy is lacking.
Objective: To review, consolidate, and analyze the findings of studies investigating the efficacy of anal fistula plugs (AFPs) in treating Crohn’s anal fistula.
Acute diverticulitis in transplant patients
Our immune system fights for us day in and day out, allowing us to stay healthy. However, if an individual has some condition or takes certain medications to make their immune weak, it causes him or her to be more prone to infections, inflammation, and many other conditions. One such affliction is called diverticulitis.
Objective: we set out to answer the question: Do patients that are immunosuppressed due to liver transplantation more commonly present with diverticulitis than those who have not had a liver transplant?
Total versus hand assisted laparoscopic right colectomy – Short term outcomes (Colectomy-I)
Compare complication rates, 30 day outcome and oncological outcome between patients with right sided colon cancer undergoing resection with 2 different laparoscopic methods: Hand assisted laparoscopy versus pure laparoscopic technique.
Fecalization as predictor of treatment algorithm for small bowel obstruction (Fecalization-1)
The small intestine is an important part of the digestive tract that takes in all the nutrients from the food we eat, so what happens when it gets blocked? How do we know how much it’s blocked, where it’s blocked, and what’s the best way to treat it? In order to properly diagnose these obstructions known as “small bowel obstructions”, imaging technology such as CAT scans is used to get a visual of what’s inside the small intestine.
Our goal is: To assess these signs by examining CT scans of previous patients to see if there is a connection between certain signs on, the obstruction found, and the treatment needed.
Prospective Outcome Based Robotic Colorectal Surgery Registry (Robot-1)
Summary: We seek to develop a robotic colorectal surgery specific data registry with a collection of core variables. This data, collected by attending surgeons will include preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables including those specific to Robotic surgery.
Purpose, Hypothesis, and Methods of Research: Given the ever-growing number of robotic colorectal cases performed, we feel that there is a need for a prospectively gathered, surgeon-centered, thorough registry focusing on a wide array of robotic colorectal operations.
Is Sacral Nerve Stimulation an effective treatment for chronic pelvic pain and constipation (Stimulator-1)
Presentation, evaluation and treatment of colonic diverticulitis complicated by liver abscesses – Meta Analysis (Abscesses-1)
Evaluate all available literature on patients presenting with colonic diverticulitis that is complicated by liver abscesses. This will be a comprehensive review of demographic, clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging work up, medical and surgical management and ultimate outcome.
A Comparison of Ultrasound Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Nerve Block Technique Versus Laparoscopic Transversus Abdominis Plane Nerve Block Technique Versus No Block on Postoperative Opioid Consumption after Major Colorectal Surgery (Nerve Block-1)
We are purposing a prospective, single-blinded, randomized study of patients undergoing major colorectal surgery to compare TAP block under ultrasound guidance versus laparoscopic visualization versus no TAP block. In addition, we will measure procedural time, any adverse events related to the block, overall postoperative analgesic requirement, analgesic dura.