On Thursday 1 June, 2023, six researchers mounted up on their bicycles in Brescia, Italy. Destination? The European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (E-AHPBA) in Lyon, France, 650 km away.
Passionate and determined to make a difference for patients, all riders were linked to the research and implementation of the practice of minimally invasive pancreatic surgery, highlighting the connection and collaboration between Cancer Center Amsterdam and Fondazione Poliambulanza Hospital in Brescia.
The group consisted of:
Nine de Graaf a Ph.D. researcher in Brescia (Mohammed Abu Hilal) and Amsterdam (Marc Besselink)
Tess van Ramshorst, a Ph.D. researcher in Brescia (Mohammed Abu Hilal) and Amsterdam (Marc Besselink)
Tijs Hoogteijling, a Ph.D. researcher in Brescia (Mohammed Abu Hilal)
Jasper Sijberden a physician from Leiden conducting research in Brescia (Mohammed Abu Hilal)
Carò Bruna a Ph.D. researcher in Brescia (Mohammed Abu Hilal)
Bas Uijterwijk a Ph.D. researcher in Brescia (Mohammed Abu Hilal) and Amsterdam (Marc Besselink)
Mohammed Abu Hilal, director of the surgical department at the Fondazione Poliambulanza Hospital in Brescia and a Professor of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery at the University of Southampton.
The team dedicated the ride to Massimo Canonica. Massimo traveled 550 km from Turin to Venice to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer and to fundraise for research. Thanks to his energy and the support of his family and friends, he funded a genetic research project for individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. He lost his battle against pancreatic cancer in 2022.
PREFITS TRIAL
The PREFITS (Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation for Frail Patients in Pancreatic Surgery) trial aims to develop an ideal pre- and post-rehabilitation program for patients undergoing pancreatic surgery. This program includes lifestyle education, physical exercise, dietary guidance, and psychological support, with the goal of achieving optimal physical and psychological well-being for the patients.
The PREFITS step-up approach involves:
- A multidisciplinary team consisting of oncologists, surgeons, dietitians, anesthesiologists, general practitioners, physiotherapists, and researchers, compares all existing programs and creates an optimal combination.
- Subsequently, patients are randomly assigned to receive the surgical intervention either with or without this program.
- As a final step, the program is complemented by the addition of pancreatic enzymes to support patient digestion.
Upon completion of the project, the PREFITS trials will result in an optimized multidisciplinary program with insights of its effectiveness and implications for patients undergoing pancreatic surgery.
Information provided by Nine de Graaf.
Want to support us? Follow our personal adventures, the mountains, the joy, and of course the suffering via social media https://lnkd.in/etMzjpA9 and support the PREFITS project by donating at https://www.cyclyon.org