This is a prospective, single-center, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the perioperative safety and feasibility of non-intubated spontaneous ventilation anesthesia (NIV) compared to conventional intubated mechanical ventilation anesthesia (IMV) in patients undergoing thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. The study will be conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University and aims to assess whether the non-intubated approach can offer comparable or better outcomes in terms of intraoperative and postoperative complications, anesthetic drug consumption, recovery parameters, and overall postoperative rehabilitation. Eligible patients aged 18 to 75 years with resectable middle or lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma (stage I-III) will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either NIV using a laryngeal mask airway or IMV with a double-lumen endotracheal tube. Both groups will undergo the same thoracoscopic and laparoscopic surgical procedures, and anesthesia will be managed with standardized protocols. The primary outcome is the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, including hypoxemia, hypercapnia, respiratory failure, and the need for conversion to intubation. Secondary outcomes include anesthetic drug dosage, intraoperative hemodynamic stability, postoperative pain scores, time to ambulation, length of hospital stay, and 30-day readmission rate. This trial complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to enrollment.
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.
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.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
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.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications
Timeframe: From anesthesia induction to 30 days postoperatively