Mr Luke Traeger
School of Medicine
College of Health
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.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 - ongoing | Clinical Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Bunjo, Z., Traeger, L., Murshed, I., Bedrikovetski, S., Dudi-Venkata, N. N., Dobbins, C., & Sammour, T. (2025). Impact of Surgeon Specialization on Outcomes in Emergency Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, 68(1), 14-30. Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC3 |
| 2025 | Bedrikovetski, S., Murshed, I., Fitzsimmons, T., Traeger, L., Price, T. J., Penniment, M., . . . Sammour, T. (2025). Total neoadjuvant therapy in early-onset rectal cancer: A multicentre prospective cohort study.. Colorectal Dis, 27(3), e70059. Scopus3 WoS4 Europe PMC3 |
| 2025 | Bedrikovetski, S., Kopunic, H. S., Procter, N., Murshed, I., De Fontgalland, J. S., Traeger, L., & Maddern, G. J. (2025). Use of the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM) to determine potentially preventable deaths after emergency general surgery. Surgery United States, 184, 10 pages. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1 |
| 2025 | Nguyen, T. -M., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Thomas, M., & Sammour, T. (2025). Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients Managed With Organ Preservation Following Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer-A Historical Cohort Study. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 95(11), 2347-2354. Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC3 |
| 2025 | Acute Presentations of Colorectal Cancer: An International Prospective Snapshot on Management and Outcomes (2025). World Journal of Surgery, 49(12), 3368-3377. |
| 2024 | Traeger, L., Dudi-Venkata, N., Bedrikovetski, S., Kroon, H. M., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2024). Use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in reducing time to gastrointestinal function recovery following abdominal surgery: A systematic review. Digestive Surgery, 41(1), 12-23. Scopus3 WoS4 Europe PMC3 |
| 2024 | Bedrikovetski, S., Zhang, J., Seow, W., Traeger, L., Moore, J. W., Verjans, J., . . . Sammour, T. (2024). Deep learning to predict lymph node status on pre-operative staging CT in patients with colon cancer.. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol, 68(1), 33-40. Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC4 |
| 2024 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Price, T. J., Ruszkiewicz, A. R., Vather, R., & Sammour, T. (2024). ASO Visual Abstract: Association Between RAS/BRAF Mutations and Complete Response After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy of Patients with Rectal Cancer: A Prospective Multicentered Study.. Ann Surg Oncol, 31(3), 1698-1699. |
| 2024 | Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., Hanna, J. E., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2024). Machine learning prediction model for postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 94(7-8), 1292-1298. Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC5 |
| 2024 | Nguyen, T. -M., Traeger, L., Overall, B., Sammour, T., & Thomas, M. (2024). Functional outcomes following anterior resection for colorectal cancer: a needs assessment and proposal of a nurse-led remote management algorithm.. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 94(9), 1590-1597. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2 |
| 2024 | Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., Fitzsimmons, T., Nguyen, T. -M., Moore, J. W., Lewis, M., & Sammour, T. (2024). Pyridostigmine to Reduce the duration of postoperative Ileus after Colorectal surgery (PyRICo-RCT): randomized clinical trial. British Journal of Surgery, 111(5), znae121-1-znae121-9. Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC4 |
| 2024 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Seow, W., Dudi-Venkata, N. N., Selva-Nayagam, S., Penniment, M., & Sammour, T. (2024). Oncological Outcomes and Response Rate After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis Comparing Induction vs. Consolidation Chemotherapy vs. Standard Chemoradiation. Clinical Colorectal Cancer, 23(4), 326-336.e9. Scopus19 WoS19 Europe PMC17 |
| 2024 | Bravo, L., Simões, J. F., Cardoso, V. R., Adisa, A., Aguilera, M. L., Arnaud, A., . . . Danic Hadzibegovic, A. (2024). A prognostic model for use before elective surgery to estimate the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (GSU-Pulmonary Score): a development and validation study in three international cohorts. The Lancet Digital Health, 6(7), e507-e519. Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC12 |
| 2024 | Murshed, I., Dinger, T. L., de Gaay Fortman, D. P. E., Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., Hunter, A., . . . Sammour, T. (2024). Outcomes of rectal cancer treatment in rural Australia and New Zealand: analysis of the bowel cancer outcomes registry.. ANZ J Surg, 94(10), 1823-1834. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2024 | Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., David, R. V., Jay, A. A., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2024). Financial implications of sarcopenia in colorectal cancer surgery: a cost analysis in an Australian public hospital. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 94(11), 2038-2046. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Price, T. J., Ruszkiewicz, A. R., Vather, R., & Sammour, T. (2023). Association between RAS/BRAF mutations and complete response following total neoadjuvant therapy in patients with rectal cancer: a prospective multicentered study. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 31(3), 1681-1689. Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC6 |
| 2023 | Watson, M. M., Watson, D. C., Maddern, G. J., & Wichmann, M. W. (2023). Quality of rural colonoscopy outperforms key performance indicators in a multi‐centre prospective clinical study. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 93(3), 528-533. Scopus5 WoS6 Europe PMC7 |
| 2023 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Vather, R., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2023). Clinical and biochemical predictors of tumor response after neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, 19(3), 365-373. Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC7 |
| 2023 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., & Sammour, T. (2023). ASO Author Reflections: Impact of RAS Mutations on Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Outcomes in Rectal Cancer.. Annals of surgical oncology, 31(3), 1692-1693. Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Bedrikovetski, S., Dudi‐Venkata, N. N., Kroon, H. M., Traeger, L. H., Seow, W., Vather, R., . . . Sammour, T. (2023). A prospective study of diagnostic accuracy of multidisciplinary team and radiology reporting of preoperative colorectal cancer local staging. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, 19(1), 206-213. Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC6 |
| 2023 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Vather, R., Sammour, T., & Moore, J. W. (2023). Does Sarcopenia Predict Local Response Rates after Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer?. Dis Colon Rectum, 66(7), 965-972. Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC10 |
| 2023 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Price, T. J., Carruthers, S., Selva-Nayagam, S., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2023). Can sarcopenia predict complete response after total neoadjuvant therapy in advanced rectal cancer? A multicentre observational cohort study. Journal of Surgical Oncology, 128(1), 75-84. Scopus22 WoS21 Europe PMC19 |
| 2023 | Nguyen, T. -M., Traeger, L., Vather, R., Overall, B., Cho, J., & Sammour, T. (2023). Double barrelled uro-colostomy versus Ileal conduit for urinary diversion following pelvic exenteration: a single centre experience.. ANZ J Surg, 93(10), 2450-2456. Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC4 |
| 2023 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Jay, A. A., Oehler, M. K., Cho, J., Wagstaff, M., . . . Sammour, T. (2023). Is preoperative sarcopenia associated with postoperative complications after pelvic exenteration surgery?. Langenbeck's archives of surgery, 408(1), 12 pages. Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC3 |
| 2023 | Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., Nguyen, T. M., Kwan, Y. X., Lewis, M., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2023). The impact of preoperative sarcopenia on postoperative ileus following colorectal cancer surgery.. Techniques in coloproctology, 27(12), 1265-1274. Scopus18 WoS19 Europe PMC18 |
| 2023 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., & Sammour, T. (2023). <b>Reply to Letter to the Editor</b> : Can sarcopenia predict complete response after Total Neoadjuvant Therapy in advanced rectal cancer? A multicentre observational cohort study. Journal of Surgical Oncology, 128(1), 181-182. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., Nguyen, T. -M., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2023). Incidence and associated morbidity of sarcopenia in non-malignant small and large bowel anastomosis: propensity score-matched analysis.. International journal of colorectal disease, 38(1), 9 pages. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2 |
| 2023 | Traeger, L., Koullouros, M., Bedrikovetski, S., Kroon, H. M., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2023). Global cost of postoperative ileus following abdominal surgery: meta-analysis. BJS Open, 7(3), zrad054-1-zrad054-10. Scopus36 WoS35 Europe PMC32 |
| 2023 | Watson, M. M., South Australian Rural Surgical Research Group., Watson, D. C., Maddern, G. J., & Wichmann, M. W. (2023). Colorectal adenomatous and serrated polyps in rural South Australia: who, why, what and where?. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 93(12), 2939-2945. WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Liu, J., Lee, J. Y. T., Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Moore, J. W., Perry, J. L., . . . Sammour, T. (2023). Clinical predictors of rectal cancer response after neo-adjuvant (Chemo)Radiotherapy in Australia and New Zealand: Analysis of the Bi-National Colorectal Cancer Audit (BCCA). European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 49(11), 107070-1-107070-5. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC2 |
| 2022 | Traeger, L., Koullouros, M., Bedrikovetski, S., Kroon, H. M., Thomas, M. L., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2022). Cost of postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery: a cost analysis in the Australian public hospital setting. Colorectal Disease, 24(11), 1416-1426. Scopus24 WoS19 Europe PMC21 |
| 2022 | Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., Oehler, M. K., Cho, J., Wagstaff, M., Harbison, J., . . . Sammour, T. (2022). Short-term outcomes following development of a dedicated pelvic exenteration service in a tertiary centre.. ANZ J Surg, 92(10), 2620-2627. Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC6 |
| 2022 | Traeger, L., Hall, T. D., Bedrikovetski, S., Kroon, H. M., Dudi-Venkata, N. N., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2022). Effect of neuromuscular reversal with neostigmine/glycopyrrolate versus sugammadex on postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery. Techniques in Coloproctology, 27(3), 217-226. Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC5 |
| 2022 | Kroon, H., Traeger, L., Fitridge, R., Sammour, T., McVeay, C., Herath, M., . . . GlobalSurg Collaborative. (2022). SARS-CoV-2 infection and venous thromboembolism after surgery: an international prospective cohort study. Anaesthesia, 77(1), 28-39. Scopus106 WoS91 Europe PMC95 |
| 2022 | Traeger, L., Kroon, H. M., Bedrikovetski, S., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2022). The impact of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on ileus and gut motility following abdominal surgery: a clinical review. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 92(1-2), 69-76. Scopus10 WoS11 Europe PMC9 |
| 2022 | Bedrikovetski, S., Seow, W., Kroon, H. M., Traeger, L., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2022). Artificial intelligence for body composition and sarcopenia evaluation on computed tomography: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Radiology, 149, 110218-1-110218-9. Scopus54 WoS51 Europe PMC35 |
| 2022 | Dinger, T. L., Kroon, H. M., Traeger, L., Bedrikovetski, S., Hunter, A., & Sammour, T. (2022). Regional variance in treatment and outcomes of locally invasive (T4) rectal cancer in Australia and New Zealand: analysis of the Bi-National Colorectal Cancer Audit. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 92(7-8), 1772-1780. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC3 |
| 2022 | Kroon, H. M., Hoogervorst, L. A., Hanna-Rivero, N., Traeger, L., Dudi-Venkata, N. N., Bedrikovetski, S., . . . Sammour, T. (2022). Systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term oncological outcomes of lateral lymph node dissection for metastatic nodes after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 48(7), 1475-1482. Scopus32 WoS28 Europe PMC27 |
| 2022 | Glasbey, J. C., Abbott, T. E. F., Ademuyiwa, A., Adisa, A., AlAmeer, E., Alshryda, S., . . . Mushawarima, T. (2022). Elective surgery system strengthening: development, measurement, and validation of the surgical preparedness index across 1632 hospitals in 119 countries. The Lancet, 400(10363), 1607-1617. Scopus61 WoS59 Europe PMC47 |
| 2022 | Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Fitzsimmons, T., Perry, J., Vather, R., Moore, J. W., & Sammour, T. (2022). Personalized total neoadjuvant therapy versus chemotherapy during the 'wait period' versus standard chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 93(5), 1267-1273. Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC5 |
| 2021 | David, R., Traeger, L., Kahokehr, A., Miller, J., & Ashrafi, A. (2021). A prospective case series of Fournier's gangrene at a tertiary centre involving adjacent organs. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 91(12), 2817-2823. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2021 | Dudi Venkata, N. N., Kroon, H. M., Bedrikovetski, S., Traeger, L., Lewis, M., Lawrence, M. J., . . . Sammour, T. (2021). PyRICo-Pilot: Pyridostigmine to reduce the duration of postoperative ileus after colorectal surgery - a phase II study. Colorectal Disease, 23(8), 2154-2160. Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC11 |
| 2021 | Traeger, L., Kroon, H., & Dudi Venkata, N. (2021). Effects of pre‐operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study. Anaesthesia, 76(11), 1454-1464. WoS48 Europe PMC44 |
| 2021 | Traeger, L., & Raju, D. (2021). Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma presenting as an ileocolonic fistula. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 91(1-2), 200-202. |
| 2021 | CovidSurge Collaborative., & GlobalSurg Collaborative. (2021). Timing of surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international prospective cohort study. Anaesthesia, 76(6), 748-758. WoS337 Europe PMC381 |
| 2021 | Traeger, L., Kundu, N., & Kiu, A. (2021). Midgut volvulus imitating acute appendicitis. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 91(4), E247-E248. WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2021 | Kundu, N., Traeger, L., & Kiu, A. (2021). Paraganglioma presenting as acute catecholamine cardiomyopathy. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 91(10), 2209-2211. WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2021 | CovidSurg Collaborative., Kroon, H., Dudi Venkata, N., Traeger, L., Coventry, B., Sammour, T., & Traeger, L. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study. British Journal of Surgery, 108(9), 1056-1063. Scopus113 WoS115 Europe PMC323 |
| 2019 | David, R., Traeger, L., & McDonald, C. (2019). Gall bladder torsion: A disease of the elderly. BMJ Case Reports, 12(10), 3 pages. Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC3 |
| 2018 | Traeger, L., & Kiroff, G. (2018). Intrabilary obstruction by colorectal metastases. Journal of Surgical Case Reports, 2018(1), 2 pages. Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC3 |
| 2017 | Traeger, L., Jayasuriya, M., Suppiah, A., & Devitt, P. (2017). Acupuncture: a cause of mediastinal abscess presenting as axillary infection. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 87(9), E106-E107. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Traeger, L., Kiroff, G., & Myers, J. (2018). Multiple rapid swallows in high-resolution oesophageal manometry: A valuable predictor of oesophagogastric junction function.. In Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Conference. |
| 2018 | Traeger, L., & Bhattacharjya, S. (2018). Evaluation of P-POSSUM use in predicting Mortality and Morbidity of emergency general surgical admissions. In Board in General Surgery Registrar’s Paper Day. Adelaide. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Traeger, L., & Wichmann, M. (2021). Laparoscopic removal of ingested sewing pin.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress. Melbourne. |
| 2021 | Kundu, N., Traeger, L., & Kiu, A. (2021). Midgut volvulus imitating acute appendicitis.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress. |
| 2021 | Traeger, L., Kundu, N., & Kiu, A. (2021). Paraganglioma presenting as acute catecholamine cardiomyopathy.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress. |
| 2019 | Traeger, L., & Kanhere, H. (2019). Small bowel obstruction from solitary breast metastases.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Conference. Bangkok. |
| 2017 | Traeger, L., & Kiroff, G. (2017). Intrabiliary metastases: a rare complication of metastatic colorectal cancer.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress. Adelaide. |
| 2017 | Traeger, L., Jayasuriya, M., Suppiah, A., & Devitt, P. (2017). Acupuncture: more harm than good.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress. Adelaide. |
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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