The MPSRC is currently conducting the following clinical research studies:
Quantitative Research
Prospective Hypospadias Outcomes Long-term Database (HOLD)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Luis Braga
The objective of this project is to develop a reliable and quality registry of information on long-term surgical outcomes of hypospadias surgeries performed at McMaster Children's Hospital. This prospective database will produce consistent high-level evidence needed in hypospadias surgery and inform the future practice of pediatric urologists. This project also provides infrastructure that will facilitate and encourage future collaborative research among pediatric urologists. The future plan is to include participating centres from across Canada, the USA, Brazil, France and Italy to make this an international database connecting pediatric urologists from around the world.
Preventable Vision Loss in 4 Inner City Hamilton Elementary Schools – An Observational Study of the Prevalence and Causes of Amblyopia
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kourosh Sabri
This study will consist of screening each consented child at Cathy Wever, Bennetto, Dr. J. Edgar Davey and Hess Street elementary schools over the age of seven using a vision chart, a colour vision test and a depth perception test. A preliminary general diagnosis will be made based on these tests and those students identified as requiring a follow-up eye examination with a paediatric ophthalmologist will be given the opportunity to have an appointment. Dr. Sabri will make a final diagnosis and plan treatment for the patient based on a full eye exam.
Systematic/Scoping Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Pediatric Surgical Outcomes in Africa: A Scoping Review
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dan Poenaru
Indications for Surgical Intervention in Pectus Excavatum: A Scoping Review
Principal Investigator: Dr. Peter Fitzgerald
The Role of Anti-Reflux Medications in Minimizing the Impact of Gastro-esophageal Reflux in Patients Treated Surgically for Congenital Esophageal Atresia and Tracheo-esophageal Fistula: A Scoping Review
Principal Investigator: Dr. Helene Flageole
How Best to Measure Eye Pressure in Young Children? A Systematic Review of the Effects of Anesthetic Agents on Intraocular Pressure
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kourosh Sabri
Qualitative Research
Health-Related Quality of Life after Anorectal Surgery Repair in Children
Principal Investigator: Dr. Brian Cameron
The objective of this descriptive qualitative study is to identify patient and family health related quality of life issues specific to children who have undergone anorectal surgery at the McMaster Children's Hospital.
Understanding the Caregiver Quality of Life Experience Following Gastrostomy Tube Insertion in Pediatric Patients: A Qualitative Phenomenological Approach
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mark Walton
The objective of this phenomenological qualitative study is to identify quality of life issues specific to parents of children who have undergone gastrostomy surgery at the McMaster Children's Hospital.
Educational Research
Neonatal Circumcision: An Educational Surgical Training Website
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jorge DeMaria
The main objective of this project is to create a standardized, accessible, web-based instruction module to help reduce the complication rates of neonatal circumcision.
TTT Update Course Development
The Trauma Team Training Course is a nationally accredited trauma program in Guyana. The TTT Update course was piloted November 2011 to allow TTT graduates to sharpen skills while focusing on teamwork capacity. Study results will help inform the development of an official TTT Update manual for the Canadian Network for International Surgery. An abstract and a poster for this project were presented at the 2012 Bethune Round Table Conference.
Creation of Bowel Anastomosis Competency Module for Residents
A Resident Project by Dr. Jennifer Li
Principal Investigator: Dr. Brian Cameron
Evidence Based Reviews
Quality of Reporting over 10 years in Randomized Controlled Trial Published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery
Principal Investigator: Dr. Peter Fitzgerald
Quality of Reporting in Hypospadias Randomized Controlled Trial Published over 5 years
Principal Investigator: Dr. Luis Braga
The Scientific Program at the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgery National Meetings: Is the Level of Evidence Changing?
Principal Investigator: Dr. Helene Flageole
The MPSRC is currently participating in the following clinical research studies:
CAPSNet
The Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network (CAPSNet) is a multi-speciality Canadian collaborative established in 2005 to enable systematic study of the two most common structural birth defects encountered by pediatric general surgeons: gastroschisis (GS) and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
Local Principal Investigator: Dr. Peter Fitzgerald
Principal Investigator: Dr. Eric Skarsgard, British Columbia's Children's Hospital
STEP Database
The STEP database aims to create a web-based data registry for all patients worldwide who undergo the serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) procedure, analyze the data from the STEP registry to determine a baseline diagnostic, demographic, anatomical, and nutritional profile for patients who undergo the STEP procedure, and analyze long-term data from the STEP registry to determine and measure long-term clinical outcomes of patients who undergo the STEP procedure.
Local Principal Investigator: Dr. Brian Cameron
Principal Investigator: Children's Hospital Boston
