Robot-assisted Thoraco-laparoscopic Esophagectomy Versus Open Transthoracic Esophagectomy (NCT01544790) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 3
Robot-assisted Thoraco-laparoscopic Esophagectomy Versus Open Transthoracic Esophagectomy
Netherlands112 participantsStarted 2012-04
Plain-language summary
This is the first randomized controlled trial designed to compare robot-assisted minimally invasive thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy with open transthoracic esophagectomy as surgical treatment for resectable esophageal cancer.
If our hypothesis is proved correct, robot-assisted minimally invasive thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy will result in a lower percentage of postoperative complications, lower blood loss, shorter hospital stay, but with at least similar oncologic outcomes and better postoperative quality of life compared with the open transthoracic esophagectomy (current standard).
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma of the intrathoracic esophagus.
* Surgical resectable (T1-4a, N0-3, M0)
* Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 75 years
* European Clinical Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0,1 or 2
* Written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Carcinoma of the cervical esophagus
* Carcinoma of the gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) with major tumor in the gastric cardia (Siewert III)
* Prior thoracic surgery at the right hemithorax or thorax trauma (rationale: these patients will undergo open resection)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Postoperative complications modified Clavien-Dindo classification (MCDC) grade 2 and higher
Timeframe: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 2 weeks