About this trial
Open surgery for esophageal cancer commonly involves large incisions in the chest, associated with a high rate of pulmonary complications (30-50%). Minimally invasive approach through keyhole surgery has been shown to reduce pulmonary infections by 20%. Enhanced recovery programmes are evidence-based protocols, developed to achieve early recovery after surgery with early mobilisation and chest physiotherapy and have been shown to reduce pulmonary complication rates as well. The investigators intend to objectively measure chest wall movement using 3D motion capture system as well as a wearable measurement system to monitor chest wall movement.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Patients treated more than a year ago with oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer, by an open approach.
Patients able to understand and retain the information provided, thereby being able to give informed consent for inclusion in this study.
Healthy volunteers with no underlying respiratory disease and no history of upper gastrointestinal surgery.
Individuals able to understand and retain the information provided, thereby being able to give informed consent for inclusion in this study.
Disqualifiers
Any participant who lacks capacity or is unable to provide informed consent.
Any participant younger than 18 or older than 90 years of age.
Any patient with evidence of cancer recurrence or on-going postoperative complication at more than one year following surgery for oesophageal cancer.
Any pregnant participant.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- 3D motion capture system
- Incentive spirometry
- Questionnaires