This is a two center phase II prospective single-arm safety and feasibility trial for 20 patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma with an increased risk for anastomotic leakage, as based upon UCS and NASCET calcification scores on pre-op CT-scan. In these patients, laparoscopic ischemic conditioning is performed 12-18 days before an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. The primary outcome is all complications grade 2 and higher (Clavien-Dindo classification) occurring during or after the laparoscopic ischemic conditioning. Secondary outcomes are complications after the esophagectomy, and the induction of angiogenesis by biomarkers of microcirculation and redistribution of blood flow by measurement of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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 adenocarcinoma (AC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ)
* Planned to undergo transthoracic esophagectomy or transhiatal esophagectomy
* Preoperative computed tomography (CT)
* Vascular arterial changes: "major calcifications" of the thoracic aorta according to the "Uniform calcification score" (UCS) and or a stenosis of the celiac axis according to the "modified NASCET score". (Appendix 1 and 2) (7,17)
* ASA I-III
* European Clinical Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0,1 or 2
* Age \> 17
* Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria:
* Not able to undergo study treatment.
* Metastatic disease (M1)
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
Number of participants with a grade 2 or higher complication after laparoscopic ischemic conditioning
Timeframe: Occuring after operation 1(laparosocpic ISCON), but before operation 2 (esophagectomy). This time-frame is usually 13-15 days.