General and Digestive Surgery

The group conducts research activities focused on different areas of general, digestive, hepatobiliopancreatic, oncologic, and emergency surgery. Its research combines clinical, surgical, and translational approaches aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical outcomes of complex diseases, including digestive and retroperitoneal tumors, hepatobiliopancreatic diseases, bariatric surgery, abdominal wall surgery, and emergency surgery. The group also promotes the development of new surgical techniques, minimally invasive approaches, and innovative strategies applied to surgical treatment and perioperative patient management. In addition, the group actively participates in national and international collaborative networks and multicenter studies aimed at improving healthcare quality and patient safety.

Main lines of research

General Surgery Unit.

• Thyroid gland surgery and thyroid cancer research.
• Advanced parathyroid gland surgery (primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism).
• Adrenal surgery.
• Sarcoma surgery: participation in the development and outcomes of surgery for retroperitoneal tumors.
• Sarcoma surgery: participation in GIST research through the Spanish Sarcoma Research Group (GEIS) and other entities.
• Surgery for advanced gynecological tumors.
• Advanced abdominal wall surgery and new ventral hernia repair techniques.
• Research on surgical techniques and new technologies for the application of local chemotherapy in the retroperitoneum. (González, José A.; Solans, Mireia).
• Research and dissemination of incisional hernia prevention techniques. (González, José A.; Solans, Mireia).

Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery Unit.

• Pancreatic cancer. (Sánchez Cabús; García Romera).
• Liver cancer. (Molina, Víctor; Sánchez Cabús).
• Biliary disease. (Martín, Belén; Sánchez Cabús).

Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit.

• Surgical reinterventions after failed hiatal hernia repair or antireflux surgery. (Fernández Ananín, Sónia).
• Obesity in the elderly population. (Fernández Ananín, Sónia).
• Consequences of sarcopenia after bariatric surgery. (Pérez, Noelia).
• Analysis of cruroplasty closure in paraesophageal hernias. (Fernández Ananín, Sónia).
• Laparoscopic approach to non-epithelial gastric tumors: influence of size and location. (Fernández Ananín, Sónia).
• Analysis of the diagnostic process and treatment of early gastric cancer. (Pérez, Noelia).
• Implementation of an app for the management of anterior resection syndrome. (Martínez, Carmen).
• Quality of life and functional disorders in rectal cancer. (Martínez, Carmen).
• Diagnosis and treatment of anal dysplasia in immunocompromised patients. (Martínez, Carmen).

Emergency and Critical Care Surgery Unit.

• Safe practices for polytrauma patients.
• Safe practices for polytrauma patients through a multicenter collaborative database using the Catalan Trauma Registry (TraumaCAT).
• Clinical safety for frail and elderly patients in emergency surgery and emergency care through a geriatric emergency department accredited by the American College of Physicians.
• Emergency surgical treatment of aortoenteric fistulas in collaboration with the Vascular Surgery Department.
• Outpatient treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis.
• Open abdomen and damage control surgery in non-traumatic patients.
• Best practices in emergency surgery for the prevention of burst abdomen and acquired abdominal hernia after surgery.
• Best practices in emergency surgery for bowel obstruction syndrome.

Scientific Challenges

Breast Surgery.

• Technological innovations in surgery.
• Potential role of genetic studies in diagnosis and follow-up.

Endocrine and Cervical Surgery.

• Technical innovations in surgery.

Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery Unit.

• Contribute to improving survival and quality of life in patients affected by liver, pancreatic, and biliary diseases.
• Promote research and development in diseases within this field, with special emphasis on surgical treatment through minimally invasive approaches.
• Histotripsy in patients with pancreatic cancer (GANNON trial).

Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit.

• Development of an experimental surgery program and collaboration with IR Sant Pau working groups.

Contact

Antonio Moral
amoral@santpau.cat