Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2006

Mentor: Thomas Anthony, MS MD
Department: Surgery
Room number: E6-222e
Mail Code:
Phone number: 214-648-2919
E-mail: Thomas.Anthony@UTSouthwestern.edu
Project title: Surgical Site Infections in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):pending

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) patient based

Brief Description of Project: The purpose of this project is to accurately define the rate of surgical site infections (SSI) for patients undergoing colorectal surgery at a single institution. The secondary goal of this study is to identify risk factors that increase the likelihood of an SSI.
The source population for this project will be drawn from patients undergoing colorectal surgery from January 2002 to December 2005. Preliminary inquires of the number of patients undergoing colorectal surgery over this period of time indicate that approximately 500 patients will be included. Infection control data suggest approximately 100 infections over this period, thus the sample size and number of infections are large enough to accurately define risk factors that lead to a greater chance for surgical site infection.
This data will then be used as the basis for a series of projects designed to decrease the current rate of SSI in this population.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

1. Todd RD, Sarosi G, Nwariaku F,Anthony T. Incidence and predictors of appendiceal tumors in elderly males presenting with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis. American Journal of Surgery188(5): 500-04, 2004.
2. Anthony T, Penta P, Todd RD, Sarosi GA, Nwariaku F, Rege R. Rebleeding and survival after acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. American Journal of Surgery 188(5), 485-90, 2004.
3. Long JW, Modrall G, Parker BJ, Swann A, Welborn MB III, Anthony T. Correlation between ankle brachial index, symptoms, and health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Journal of Vascular Surgery 39: 723-7, 2004.
4. Anthony T, Long J. Measurement of Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Colon and Rectal Disease. Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery 14(1): 33-46; 2003.

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