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Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU-NDS)

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Established in 2012

Awarded trials unit status from the Royal College of Surgeons

Growing portfolio

The University of Oxford Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU) represents a collaboration between the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS) and the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS). SITU is a dedicated team of surgical investigators offering expert trial management support and serving as a training and development hub for surgical trialists across the UK. Recognized as one of nine UK Royal College of Surgeons-endorsed clinical trial centres, SITU supports trials spanning all surgical specialties, from urology to orthopaedics.

SITU-NDS specializes in general surgical trials, encompassing an extensive portfolio of Phase II-IV studies across various surgical disciplines. The unit is committed to designing, developing, and delivering high-quality, innovative, and impactful surgical trials, leveraging novel methodologies and technologies to advance trial-based research and transform clinical practice.

The unit welcomes projects that address critical surgical questions and challenges both within the UK and globally, while also contributing to advancements in surgical trial design, outcome measurement, and the practicalities of surgical and interventional trial management.

In collaboration with the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU), SITU-NDS ensures the seamless setup, management, and delivery of high-quality trials, whilst utilising the knowledge and skills of OCTRU to provide programming, quality assurance and statistical expertise.

SITU-NDS provides comprehensive consultancy services, offering both practical and academic support to government, charitable, and commercially-sponsored clinical trials. It supports investigators at all stages of their research journey, from development and design to initiation, process execution, data collection, statistical analysis, and reporting.

With expertise in non-regulatory trials, CTIMPs (Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products) and medical device trials, SITU-NDS has established strong national, international, and commercial collaborations, making it a leading partner in the surgical research community.

Under the leadership of Professor Sheraz Markar, whose research focuses on the management of upper gastrointestinal diseases, SITU-NDS is guided by Academic Directors Professor Richard Bryant, Professor Michael Douek, and Professor Alex Green. Each brings extensive experience in developing and running surgical trials across diverse surgical and research specialties.

The trial portfolio is supported by a dedicated team of academic and professional staff, offering specialized expertise and innovative solutions for trial-related challenges.

For more information please visit: https://www.nds.ox.ac.uk/research/surgical-intervention-trials-unit

If you would like to discuss a potential surgical trial, please contact SITU on situ@nds.ox.ac.uk  Alternatively, please complete the SITU 'Expression of Interest' form which will then be reviewed by the SITU Management Team. (https://www.nds.ox.ac.uk/forms/situ-expression-of-interest-form).

Our team

Selected publications