Luke Traeger

Luke Traeger

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Dr Luke Traeger is a South Australian General Surgical trainee with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Luke is currently undertaking a PhD, researching the effects of novel treatments to reduce bowel paralysis following surgery.

My research investigates the reduction of the incidence and duration of post-operative ileus following colorectal surgery.

After abdominal surgery, the bowel can commonly be paralyzed and slow to return to normal function. The resultant intolerance to food and liquids can result in severe bloating, inability to pass a bowel movement or gas, nausea, and vomiting. This complication of surgery is called post-operative ileus and is a source of discomfort for patients after surgery. Management often requires invasive procedures such as the insertion of long tubes into the stomach to empty it out and providing nutrition through a vein. 

With the advent of enhanced recovery protocols, there has been a general improvement in the management of patients undergoing abdominal surgery. However, the incidence of post-operative ileus remains around 20-30%. Post-operative ileus doubles the cost of a patients admission to hospital and significantly increases the patients risk of complication and risk of mortality.

My research will investigate the use of a novel treatment, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor named pyridostigmine. Pyridostigmine increases gut motility, and we aim to study the effects this has following colorectal surgery. If we can reduce the incidence of post-operative ileus, this may reduce the length of hospital stay and reduce complications in our patients.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2022 - ongoing Clinical Lecturer University of Adelaide

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2021 University of Adelaide Australia PhD (Candidate)
    2017 - 2018 University of Newcastle Australia Master of Traumatology
    2015 - 2016 University of Newcastle Australia Master of Public Health
    2009 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

  • Postgraduate Training
    Date Title Institution Country
    2019 General Surgical Training Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Australia
    2018 - 2018 General Surgical Registrar Queen Elizabeth Hospital Australia
    2016 - 2017 Surgical Resident Medical Officer Central Adelaide Local Health Network Australia
    2015 - 2015 Internship Central Adelaide Local Health Network Australia

  • Research Interests
    Surgery Surgical and Health Systems Innovation Translational Health Outcomes

Scholarships

2023: RACS RP Jepson scholarship ($66,000 pa.)

2021-2023: Dawes Top-Up Scholarship, RAH Research Committee ($15,000)

2021-2022: Research and Training Stipend, University of Adelaide ($28,000 pa.)

Grant:

2022-2023: CALHN CEO Clinical Rapid Implementation Project Scheme Grant ($200,000)

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