Mr Mandeep Bajwa
Pump Priming award recipient 2022/23
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Project: “Biodegradable dressings for mouth cancer surgery”
Interim Update
Exploring new ways to rebuild the mouth after cancer surgery
Every year, thousands of people undergo surgery to remove early-stage oral cancers. While surgery can be life-saving, it often leaves complex wounds inside the mouth that are difficult to reconstruct. Healing in this area is particularly challenging due to constant movement, saliva, and the need to eat and speak.
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Mr Mandeep Bajwa, a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, is leading a study to investigate whether a synthetic material called Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (NovoSorb®) could help improve healing and restore function after these surgeries.
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What is NovoSorb®?
NovoSorb® is a biodegradable scaffold that has shown promise in other surgical settings. It temporarily replaces missing tissue and supports natural healing before gradually breaking down in the body. This project will assess its safety and effectiveness for use inside the mouth — something that has not yet been studied.
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What’s happened so far?
The original plan was for the study to be supported by a university trials unit, but this changed after the project began, leading to delays. Negotiations over sponsorship and support took time to resolve, which meant the project couldn’t progress as quickly as hoped.
The good news is that the research is now being backed by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and its Clinical Research Facility. With this new structure in place, Mr Bajwa and his team are now ready to move the project forward.
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Where things stand
The project has recently moved beyond the planning phase, but it is behind schedule due to the early delays. A one-year no-cost extension has been granted, and the team is now in a strong position to begin the clinical work.
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What comes next?
The next phase will involve launching the study and beginning to gather data on how patients respond to the new material. If successful, this research could lead to safer, more effective reconstruction options for patients undergoing treatment for early oral cancer.