Congratulations to Dr Tuong Phan, recipient of Brian Smith Memorial Award

Dr Tuong Phan is the recipient of the Brian Smith Memorial Award for his project titled "Gastric antrum ultrasound to optimise oral intake in an ERAS program for colorectal surgery. “GI-ER” Gastrointestinal Enhanced Recovery".

Surgery involving the removal of colon is often curative for cancer and other diseases. However, the return to a normal diet can be abnormal is up to 25% of cases. This results in delays of hospital discharge and increases more serious complications.

This project will use an ultrasound scan to identify people who have abnormal return of tolerance of diet and give them a package of treatments to improve their diet tolerance. It is hoped that this will lead to a quick return to normal diet, thus reduce the risk of increased complications and length of hospital stay.

Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation awards $40,000.00 annually in memory of Brian William Smith (1939-1990), a leading Melbourne surgeon.