How to manage smoke evacuation and filter pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy to minimize potential viral spread: different methods from SoMe ‐ a video vignette

Abstract

the deluge of extension requests that will arrive towards the end of the pandemic, the Health Research Authority (HRA) could allow currently approved studies to extend recruitment commensurate with lost time without the need for prior approval.The process of securing approvals to conduct even low-risk surgical research in the UK is Byzantine in complexity.Securing central approvals to a change in terms of this research as simple as adding a site can be a drawn-out affair.Many of our prior efforts to secure approvals are now at risk of 'timing out', and approvals will need to be sought to refresh or extend recruitment and follow-up periods from the central HRA.If the HRA acts promptly, additional delays of months for studies which wish to resume recruitment in a period after they were due to have closed could be avoided.Such action would also allow resources to be moved to processing, with the expected surge in requests for new approvals as clinical practice redevelops momentum following the current crisis.In addition, attention could also turn to development of a streamlined process for the set up of low-risk studies (e.g.observational) to optimize the recovery of our vibrant research community.

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