CompletedObservational

An international cohort study of wound closure and surgical site infection prevention strategies in abdominal surgery

The WOLVERINE study is an international research project focusing on how doctors close wounds and prevent infections after major tummy surgery. Researchers want to understand if certain methods lead to better recovery and fewer problems. They will collect information from adult patients who have had general or bowel-related surgery involving a cut of at least 5 cm on their tummy. Participants will be asked to fill out questionnaires about their quality of life at various times over a year after their operation. The aim is to use this information to help design better ways to reduce wound problems in the future, ultimately improving care for patients undergoing these types of surgeries.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Birmingham

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

30 May 2025

Estimated completion

31 Oct 2025

Adult patients (age 18 years and above) undergoing general or colorectal surgical procedures using any type of abdominal incision measuring at least 5 cm (including extraction sites)

What is this study about?

The WOLVERINE study is an international research project looking at how different methods of closing cuts and preventing infections after surgery on the tummy (abdomen) affect patients' recovery. The main goal is to find out which approaches lead to fewer problems with the wound healing and generally better health for patients in the year after their operation. This information will be collected from hospitals around the world.

Imagine you've had an operation on your tummy. How the surgeon closes the cut and what they do to stop it from getting infected are really important for your recovery. This study wants to compare all the different ways these things are done and see which ones seem to work best. By understanding this better, doctors can learn how to improve surgical care for everyone.

The findings from this study will help an organisation called the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) design new research in the future. This next stage of research would then test specific new ways of closing wounds and preventing infections to make sure they are safe and effective. So, this WOLVERINE study is an important first step towards making tummy surgery safer and improving recovery for patients in years to come.

Key takeaways

It's an international study looking at tummy surgery.
The focus is on how cuts are closed and infection prevention.
You'll complete questionnaires about your recovery for one year.
It aims to improve future surgical care worldwide.
There are no medical risks or changes to your treatment.
Participation takes time to complete questionnaires online.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are 18 years old or older and are having surgery on your tummy. This includes general surgery or operations on your bowel (colorectal surgery). The cut on your tummy needs to be at least 5 cm long.

People who are having surgery for certain types of hernias (like umbilical, incisional, or groin hernias) or complex cancer treatments that involve special heating during surgery (HIPEC) are not able to join this study. Also, if you're only having an operation to reverse a stoma and no other large cut is being made, you wouldn't be able to participate. Lastly, you need to have an email address and be able to access the internet or use a smart device to complete the questionnaires.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you having surgery on your tummy (general or bowel surgery)?
Will your surgical cut on your tummy be at least 5 cm long?
Do you have an email address and access to the internet or a smart device?
Are you NOT having surgery for common hernia repairs or very specific complex cancer treatments?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be asked to complete some questionnaires about how you're feeling and your quality of life. These will be sent to you at specific times: 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, and 1 year after your surgery. There are no extra hospital visits, medications, or treatments involved. Your participation will last for a total of 12 months after your surgery.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct medical benefits to you for taking part in this study, as it doesn't involve any new treatments or changes to your care. The main benefit is helping improve understanding of surgical wound care for future patients. The researchers do not expect any disadvantages or risks. However, filling out questionnaires over a year can take some time and might occasionally be a little inconvenient. Remember, you are free to stop taking part in the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Wirral, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is the main goal of the WOLVERINE study?

To understand how different ways of closing surgical wounds and preventing infections in tummy surgery affect patient recovery, aiming to improve future care.

What kind of surgery is this study interested in?

It focuses on general tummy surgery or bowel operations where the cut is at least 5 cm long.

What do I need to do if I join the study?

You will fill out online questionnaires about your well-being at different times over a year after your surgery.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your participation will last for 12 months after your surgery.

Will taking part change my medical treatment?

No, this study does not involve any changes to your surgery or medical care.

How to find out more

James Keatley

j.keatley@bham.ac.uk 7305907886 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.