A Prospective Study to Determine if Variations in Tissue Oxygenation Are Associated with Leak Rates after Esophagectomy

The purpose of this study is to determine if, after an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (the surgical removal of a portion of the stomach and esophagus, with re-attachment of the remaining ends) there is an association between the level of oxygen at the site where the esophagus is re-attached to the stomach (measured using a wireless oxygen sensor) and the incidence of a disruption at the site of the attachment after the surgery (called a “leak”).

Leaks occur when the site of the attachment between the remaining esophageal and stomach tissue does not heal properly. Patients who have a leak are at risk of other complications, such as pneumonia or blood clots. Poor oxygenation of tissue may raise the risk of a leak by impairing healing. The use of a sensor to measure tissue oxygen levels during the operation may help guide the surgeon in finding the safest location to re-attach the esophagus to the stomach, which could help reduce the risk of a leak.