Clinical Research Directory

Development and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Patient Gowns for Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Traditional hospital gowns fail to protect patient privacy due to their design features, restrict freedom of movement and are incompatible with medical equipment. This situation negatively affects both patient satisfaction and the quality of care. The limited number of studies addressing this issue in the literature highlights the unique value of the topic. This project will be conducted with a randomized controlled design to develop a functional and ergonomic hospital gown suitable for clinical requirements for patients undergoing abdominal surgery and to evaluate its effectiveness. During the design process, priority will be given to privacy, ease of mobilization and integration with medical devices. The study first plans to produce a prototype of a cotton fabric apron. Technical modeling will be conducted in collaboration with the Department of Textile and Fashion Design at Bahçeşehir University; the prototype will then be evaluated for clinical suitability. In the second phase, an experimental study will be conducted at Medicana Hospital in Ataşehir, Istanbul, to assess the apron's effectiveness. The sample size was determined using power analysis to include 86 patients in each of the control and intervention groups, for a total of 172 patients, and 14 healthcare professionals will participate in the study. Patient and healthcare professional identification forms, along with patient apron evaluation questionnaires, will be used as data collection tools. The study consists of five main work packages: (1) obtaining the necessary permits and registering the research, (2) selecting materials and determining fabric properties, (3) technical modeling and design work, (4) patient trials, and (5) data analysis. Interdisciplinary collaboration will be maintained throughout the process, and the final model will be developed through iterative prototyping and pilot trials. The widespread impact of the project is expected to increase the quality of clinical care by enhancing the comfort and safety of surgical patients, facilitating the workflow of healthcare professionals and promoting sustainable textile usage. In addition, the commercialization of the developed product has the potential to make an economic contribution to the domestic textile sector.

Plasma Kinetics of Levobupivacaine After Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block in Abdominal Surgery

This prospective single-center observational pharmacokinetic study will evaluate plasma levobupivacaine concentrations after ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in adult patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery under general anesthesia at CHU Liège. Participants receiving TAP block as part of standard clinical care (levobupivacaine 0.375%, total volume 40 mL, maximum dose 150 mg) will undergo serial blood sampling at 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after block completion. Plasma levobupivacaine concentrations will be measured using validated LC-MS/MS methods. The primary objectives are to estimate maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and time to maximum concentration (Tmax). Secondary objectives include characterization of the concentration-time profile, AUC0-180, interindividual variability, and exploratory associations with clinical factors (age, sex, BMI, type of surgery). The study also aims to inform a pragmatic safety window for subsequent intravenous lidocaine infusion used in multimodal analgesia protocols. Approximately 26 participants will be enrolled. No modification of routine anesthesia or analgesic care is required apart from study-related blood sampling.

Rezafungin Peritoneal Diffusion for Intra-abdominal Candidiasis

ntra-abdominal candidiasis is a serious infection common in critically ill patients, often leading to high mortality if not treated quickly. Standard antifungal treatments may be less effective due to growing resistance and poor drug penetration into the abdominal cavity. In critically ill patients, drug levels can vary widely due to factors like surgery, inflammation, fluid resuscitation, or extracorporeal support, increasing the risk of underdosing. Rezafungin is a new antifungal agent with a long half-life and broad activity against Candida species, offering potential advantages in this setting. However, there is currently no data on its concentration or effectiveness in the peritoneal fluid of patients with intra-abdominal sepsis. Its long half-life, coupled with repeated pharmacokinetic variations in critical care settings and the risk of insufficient concentrations, may hinder its use in this population.

Evaluation of a Novel Drain Stripping Device for Reducing Surgical Drain Complications

The purpose of this research is to evaluate how well a novel surgical site drain tube clearing device works, and how easy it is for care staff to use.

Influence of the Culture Care Program on Patient Mobility After Thoracic or Abdominal Surgery: a Mixed-methods Study

A sedentary behavior in the postoperative phase has a negative impact on recovery from various types of surgery (e.g. abdominal, pulmonary, cardiac or esophageal). In fact, sedentary behavior in the days following surgery is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications, longer hospital stays and, consequently, higher healthcare costs. Stimulating early mobilization and increasing the level of physical activity after surgery therefore remains a relevant current challenge. The Culture Care program will propose a new experience of the hospital towards an attractive and stimulating intrahospital environment, including art and culture. The hypothesis is that the innovative, positive hospital experience offered by the Culture Care program could contribute to increasing patients' mobility in the postoperative phase and thus reduce the sedentary behaviour compared with a control group included before the implementation of the program. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of the Culture Care program (Control group versus Culture Care group) on the mobility of patients hospitalized after thoracic or abdominal surgery, by determining the level of prediction in relation to the influencing covariates reported in the literature. The first quantitative part of this research project will compare the mobility of patients hospitalized after surgery, before (control group) and after the implementation of the Culture Care program (Culture Care group). Patients will be asked to wear an accelerometer for the first five post-operative days, and to complete three questionnaires (psychological well-being, physical recovery, perception of their mobility). Healthcare workers will be asked to complete a survey on their readiness to stimulate patients' mobility before and after the Culture Care program. The second part will be qualitative including individual semi-structured interviews with patients and healthcare workers during the Culture Care program, to gather their experiences.

Validity and Reliability of the Arabic Version of De Morton Mobility Index After Abdominal Surgeries

PURPOSE: To determine validity and reliability of translated Arabic version of the De Morton Mobility index for mobility assessment in patients after abdominal surgeries. BACKGROUND: Major abdominal surgery has a high morbidity and Mortality rate, and the risk of surgical complications is higher than for equivalent elective operations. those receiving emergency laparotomy are in a condition of physiological derangement driven by inflammation that has already occurred prior to surgery, in contrast to those undergoing elective abdominal operations. early mobility and exercise play an important role in postoperative treatment following abdominal surgery and are related with reduced postoperative fitness loss and fewer postoperative complications in individuals undergoing elective surgery. reduced mobility is a primary factor of lower quality of life and decreased social participation. reduced mobility is particularly common in older hospitalized patients, and it leads to an increased risk of falls, longer hospitalizations, more severe impairment and morbidity, and higher mortality rates. To manage elderly patients' mobility function, a reliable and valid mobility assessment tool is required. Performance-based examinations are commonly used to measure the mobility of elderly individuals. The De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) was established and validated exclusively for older patients hospitalized in the ward. The DEMMI provides clinicians and researchers with a valid interval-level method for accurately measuring and monitoring mobility levels of acute medical patients. It has been validated also in sub acute hospital and community settings. A DEMMI score of \<40 indicates an independent risk of serious postoperative complications. A low DEMMI score suggested impaired mobilization, and prior research of patients following abdominal surgery discovered that delayed mobilization was related with postoperative pulmonary complications. HYPOTHESES: It will be hypothesized that: Arabic version of the De Morton Mobility Index may be valid and reliable in patients after abdominal surgeries. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is The Arabic version of the De Morton Mobility index valid and reliable for mobility assessment in patients after abdominal surgeries?