When Urology Registrar Yen Lim was awarded the Marshall Prize in Surgical Training, she was already halfway out the door.
“I was already prepared to leave,” she said.
”I had my headphones on and was ready to take the dogs for a walk because I thought there was no way I got this since the calibre of the presentations was very impressive.”
Already a recipient of our Emerging Researcher Fellowship, Yen has been conducting research for the last six months on a new prostate biopsy technique using a PrecisionPoint Transperineal Access System (PPTAS) to see if it is more efficient than current practices.
“The main benefit of the biopsy technique is it can be performed under local anaesthesia instead of general anaesthesia, so we’re hoping it will alleviate pressure on our waiting lists and use less theatre space,” she said.
Based on her research thus far, Yen was selected as a finalist for the award and invited to present her results at the Marshall Prize Symposium as part of the Professional Surgical Rounds program.
“My presentation focused on the costs and environmental impact of implementing the new biopsy technique,” she said.
The main benefit of the new technique is that it can be performed under local anaesthesia instead of general anaesthesia.
The PPTAS is also much less invasive than current practices where template biopsies – taken by making multiple punctures through the skin – are used and will limit the number of punctures through the skin.
“By changing to an outpatient setting, and with this new device, our research shows it decreases the amount of disposable waste created by about 800 grams per case, preventing that from going to landfill,” Yen said.
“As clinicians, environmental impact is something we have to be quite mindful of these days, as well as safety.
“Being more cost-effective also means we can allocate resources more efficiently, as patients will be in hospital for a shorter period of time.”
The Marshall Prize in Surgical Training was established in 2002, and it encourages surgical trainees within Monash Health to pursue basic or clinical investigative projects.
Yen’s presentation wowed the panel of adjudicators – both from inside and outside Monash Health – and took out the win, with her name to be placed on an honour board located within the Department of Surgery.
Points for the research presentation were allocated based on criteria such as originality of hypothesis, project planning and design, study methods, data analysis, conclusions, abstract content, quality of presentation and discussion.
“I have really appreciated all of the support; it makes a big difference,” Yen said.
“Research can’t be done alone, and I’m very grateful for the support and initiatives I’ve received and been able to take part in.”
We would like to congratulate Yen for her phenomenal achievement in being named the 2023 Marshall Prize in Surgical Training award winner, and we look forward to the completion and findings of her research project.
Approved by Al Saunder, Program Director, Surgery and Claire Sage, General Manager, Surgery