Surgery

Summary

We oversee surgical research across all the surgical disciplines including:

  • breast
  • cardiothoracic
  • colorectal
  • general
  • head and neck
  • hepatobiliary
  • neurosurgery
  • orthopaedics
  • plastics and hand
  • transplantation
  • trauma/emergency
  • upper gastrointestinal
  • urology
  • vascular

We deliver complex interventional trials. These include the evaluation of new devices and techniques, as well as studies which include surgical interventions.

National specialty leads

The Research Delivery Network (RDN) National Specialty Lead is:

  • Brian Davidson

Funding opportunities / funding calls

See the latest funding opportunities for surgery research

Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme

If you’re a healthcare professional, you could be eligible for our Associate PI Scheme

Help with research

Through the RDN, you can get help with:

  • planning and delivering your research to achieve the greatest impact
  • recruiting patients for your study
  • costs for your study, if you are eligible. This could include money for extra staff, facilities or equipment

Find out more about the Services to support study delivery

Latest news about surgery

News

Study reveals surgeons need to improve how they communicate with patients about new procedures

News

New report on 10 promising AI interventions for healthcare

News

Patients outcomes improved with higher volume surgeons

Case studies

Stories

Routine change of surgical gloves makes global surgery safer

Working alongside a global network of surgeons, NIHR-funded researchers have shown that the number of life-threatening surgical site infections can be reduced by a simple, low-cost change of gloves and instruments during surgery.

Stories

PET-Neck - Impact Case Study

The PET-Neck study showed the value of using PET-CT imaging to avoid unnecessary surgery in patients with head and neck cancer. As a result, PET-CT guided surveillance has now become the standard of care in the NHS, saving over £1,400 per patient over a two year period.

Stories

Translating intention into action - Piloting the NIHR Patient Engagement in Clinical Development Service

Read about how we collaborated with Pfizer Ltd, clinicians and patients to successfully design and pilot a new patient involvement service for the life sciences industry.