Explain the idea behind this study? Bowel anastomosis is a surgical procedure that is performed to join two ends of bowel together inside the body after removing diseased part of the bowel. An anastomotic leak is a breakdown along this join which causes waste material to leak inside the body. This type of complication leads to increased mortality and morbidity.

When a surgeon performs a join, care is taken at every step of the procedure. Once the surgeon is satisfied that the join is complete, it is tested for leak ensuring that it is air tight and the two cut ends of the bowel are visually checked for completion.

We can also perform a visual inspection of join by using a colonoscope camera. We want to use a specialized colonoscope called Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) colonoscope to inspect the join. It is better technology and allows check for healthy blood supply.

We wish to assess effectiveness of NBI Colonoscopy in join inspection. The only way of doing this is to divide patients into two groups. One group will be assessed with NBI colonoscopy as well as standard testing technique. The other group will only be accessed by using standard join testing technique. To make it fair, the patients will be randomly allocated by a computer.

Where is the research being conducted?

The research is being conducted at Hospital.

Why have I been chosen?

We are requesting all patients who requires a potential anastomosis whether they would like to participate or not. You will be excluded from this study if you do not require a join.

What will I be asked to do?

The operation will be performed as normal under a general anaesthetic. You will be randomly allocated to one group. We will be taking a few photographs of your bowel and maybe internal organs. You will not be aware about the type of technique used in your operation.

All our patients will be reviewed after six weeks in OPD clinic to check progress and if necessary arrangements will be made to review early. You are expected to inform us of any untoward affects you may have related to your surgery.

Do I have to participate?

It is your decision whether to participate or not. If you do decide to take part, you will be requested to sign a consent form. You are able to change your mind without providing a justification at any time.

If you decide not to take part in the study it will not change your operation or treatment right. If you leave the study at any time, your care will not be compromised at all. You will also be seen in the outpatient clinic after six weeks to check on your progress.

Who will perform my operation?

There will be no difference in the surgeon who performs your operation. This surgeon will be Colorectal Consultant or a senior member of his surgical team. The surgeon who operates on you will be familiar with performing the standard and new join checking techniques.

Is there any possible benefit to me if I take part?

If you are allocated to receive the NBI Colonoscopy as well, we would anticipate that we can assess join more precisely and deal with any join related problems earlier than the standard operation. Moreover there is potential chance of avoiding a temporary stoma bag. It is our assumption that this study will hopefully show this benefit.

Are there any risks, disadvantages or costs in taking part?

NO. The operation is identical to the standard operation except for the use of an Intra-operative NBI colonoscopy. The Colonoscopy has been safely used In the past for checking joins without any increase risk. It will only increase operating time by 15 minutes.

The time you wait for your operation or the surgeon performing the operation is not effected by taking part in this study. No extra hospital visits are required so you will not incur any financial cost in participating.

Will the information about me be kept confidential?

YES. All information will be stored electronically and entries will be coded so that they do not refer to you directly. It is part of our job to make sure that all the information is safe and confidential. Such information will only be seen by the doctors and nurses looking after you.

We will request for your permission to inform your GP (family doctor) that you are participating in this study, but he/she will not have access to the information from your records without your agreement.

What will happen to the information about me after the study?

Once the study is completed, it is likely that the results will be published in a medical journal. However, you would not be identifiable as an individual in any of these publications. We can provide a copy of the results of this study for you upon completion at your request.

You can see the information that we have about you at any time by contacting any of the following named below.

Thank you

Please contact the research team

In case you need any more information