There is a recognised complication of surgery known as a 'Paralytic Ileus', where bowel function is reduced after an operation, causing an obstruction and resulting in nausea and vomiting. This complication is more common in patients that have robotic surgery due to the positioning required and the gas pressures required for keyhole/robotic surgery. While some of the factors involved in a paralytic ileus are known, the full mechanism and the chemicals involved are not yet fully understood.
This study is looking at the level of specific chemicals called 'cytokines', and the changes in the level of these cytokines in the blood before and after robotic surgery, specifically during bladder removal (cystectomy). Cytokine levels will be compared against post-operative recovery and whether a paralytic ileus is developed.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients aged between 40 and 75 years of age
* Patients undergoing a Robotic radical cystectomy
* Patient consenting to enter the study
* Patients consenting for blood samples for cytokine analysis
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients \<40 years of age and patients \>75 years of age
* Patients unwilling or unable to consent
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Correlation between cytokine rise (intra-and post-operatively) and postoperative ileus following robotic radical cystectomy