East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) will be leading a major UK research project after securing £2million of funding.

The National Institute for Health Research approved the grant following a bid by a national team of clinicians, academics and patients, led by Mr Panos Kyzas, a Consultant Surgeon at ELHT.

The research will look into the use of antibiotics following surgery for mandible fractures, something that impacts over 6,000 people every year.

Mandible fractures are the most common facial fractures and often need surgery, which comes with a risk of infection afterwards. Antibiotics are often prescribed to reduce that risk.

The trial will take place at various hospitals across the country, looking at different antibiotic approaches following the surgery.

Mr Panos Kyzas, who is leading the research, said: “This research has the potential to transform our approach to the way we use antibiotics in this kind of surgery in the future.

“There are lots of potential side effects to using antibiotics and overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance, so we will be testing different regimens during this research to identify the most appropriate and safe one.

“We are committed to advancing our understanding of antibiotics and discovering safe and effective treatments for the future and securing this funding is a significant milestone in this journey.”

It will be the UK’s biggest oral and maxillofacial surgery research project. Through better understanding of antibiotics, it will support future healthcare, potentially helping to improve the quality and impact of post-operative treatment for patients needing surgery for mandible fractures.

A specialist team has been set up with clinicians, research and development experts and patient representatives and recruitment to the trial will begin in January 2024.

The team aims to recruit around 3,000 patients across up to 50 sites around the UK for the study, with the research expected to conclude at the end of 2027.