The Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery Programme will setout to investigate novel surgical technologies to aid in pre-operative planning and intraoperative assistance to optimise patient safety.
![Rhinology](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/sites/cancer/files/styles/small_image/public/rhinology_3d_final__1.png?itok=wVKi8A0v)
Programme Lead: Mr Matt Lechner PhD, MD, FRCS (ORL-HNS), FHEA, Associate Professor of Surgery, UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences and Cancer Institute.
Background
Allergic Rhinitis (AR) and Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) are common conditions throughout the world, affecting up to 40% and 12% of the general population, respectively. While not associated with severe morbidity nor mortality, both place a substantial burden on healthcare systems and incur large societal costs associated with loss of productivity and consumption. In the US, the direct cost for the management of CRS is up to $13 billion per year and indirect costs exceeding $20 billion per year. For AR, the total economic burden of disease is estimated to be $24.8 billion.
Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Mr Lechner is local PI of the MACRO trial and the Express study (Exploring Endotypes in Chronic Rhinosinusitis) at his NHS Trust. The MACRO Programme of research has been designed to establish the most effective treatments for CRS patients within the NHS and the Express study aims to analyse intranasal cytokines from patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis. He runs clinics for patients with both nose /sinus problems and patients with smell dysfunction and offers them a personalised treatment approach and also a personalised approach when offering them to participate in trials depending on their underlying disease pathology.
Rhino-3D and Rhino-Flow programme
Project Leads: Shawn Lau (Research Fellow) and Fiher Alluhaymaq (Research Fellow)
The overarching objective is to establish a scientifically validated platform that elevates the precision of surgical planning, execution, and communication of postoperative outcomes. This is achieved by seamlessly integrating quantitative metrics with the nuanced perspectives of patients. This programme is run in collaboration with the Wellcome/ EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS).
Novel Surgical Instruments for Frontal Sinus Surgery
This project looks at the development and trialling of innovative surgical instruments to aid and improve ergonomics in sinus surgery. This programme is run in collaboration with the Wellcome/ EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS).