Research News- iBRA study

25^th February 2016

The Implant Breast Reconstruction evAluation Study is a prospective multicentre cohort study to inform the feasibility, design and conduct of a randomised clinical trial comparing new techniques of implant-based breast reconstruction. The iBRA study represents the first time that trainee collaborative methodology has been applied to breast and reconstructive surgery, with breast and plastic surgeons working together to improve outcomes, participating in the study through the Mammary Fold Breast Trainees’ Association, the National Trainee Research Collaborative (NTRC) and the Reconstructive Surgery Trials Network (RSTN). Olivier Branford, locum consultant at The Royal Marsden in London is leading the RSTN involvement in the study, together with Abhilash Jain (RCS Surgical Specialty Lead) and Matthew Gardiner, Honorary Clinical Lecturer.

iBRA is funded by the National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit Programme, and pump-priming awards from the Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) and BAPRAS.

The first phase of the study was a national practice survey, completed by 81 units. The second phase is a prospective study to evaluate clinical and patient-reported outcomes of surgery, with patient satisfaction measured at 3 months and 18 months. This is ahead of schedule and is already the largest ever breast reconstruction cohort study, with 68 units having recruited 1,500 patients so far. The final phases will lead to the design of the randomised controlled trial.

iBRA-2 is already being planned – Impact of Immediate Breast Reconstruction on the delivery of Adjuvant therapy Audit, and is due to open in Summer 2016.

Follow iBRA via Twitter: @iBRAstudy @OlivierBranford

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