NCT07616245 MCT Enteral Feeding to Reduce Chyle Leak After Oesophagectomy
| NCT ID | NCT07616245 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland |
| Condition | Oesphageal Cancer |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 160 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-10-02 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-12-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 160 participants in total. It began in 2025-10-02 with a primary completion date of 2027-12-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Chyle leak (chylothorax) is a recognised complication following minimally invasive oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer and may result in prolonged hospital stay, nutritional compromise, and need for additional interventions. Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) feeds reduce lymphatic flow as they are absorbed directly via the portal circulation rather than through the thoracic duct. While MCT feeds are commonly used in the management of established chyle leaks, their role in prevention has not been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. This single-centre randomised controlled trial will evaluate whether initiating postoperative jejunostomy feeding with MCT-based enteral nutrition reduces the incidence of clinically and biochemically confirmed chyle leak compared with standard enteral feeding in patients undergoing minimally invasive or robotic-assisted oesophagectomy. Participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either MCT-based feeds or standard jejunostomy feeds starting on postoperative day 1. The primary outcome is the incidence of chylothorax. Secondary outcomes include chest drain output, re-intervention rates, and length of hospital stay.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Diagnosis of oesophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) * Planned minimally invasive or robotic-assisted oesophagectomy (MIO or RAMIO) with curative intent * Placement of feeding jejunostomy at or prior to oesophagectomy * Able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to provide informed consent * No feeding jejunostomy placed at or prior to surgery * Prior or concomitant malignancy that would interfere with study protocol or outcomes
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07616245 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Oesphageal Cancer. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07616245 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07616245 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at jarbolger@rcsi.com for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07616245 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Beaumont, Ireland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07616245 clinical trial?
NCT07616245 is sponsored by Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland. The trial plans to enroll 160 participants.
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