Preventing Chyle Leak After Minimally Invasive or Robotic Oesophagectomy Using Medium-Chain Triglyceride MCT Jejunostomy Feeding Compared to Standard Feeding

What this Trial Is About

Oesophageal cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive or robotic-assisted oesophagectomy are being studied to evaluate whether using medium-chain triglyceride MCT based enteral feeding can reduce the risk of chyle leak, a complication involving lymphatic fluid leakage that can prolong hospital stay and require further treatment. This trial compares MCT feeds with standard long-chain triglyceride feeds in a controlled setting to better understand their preventive role for chylothorax after surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one receives standard jejunostomy feeding with Nutrison Protein Plus starting on postoperative day 1, and the other receives MCT-based jejunostomy feeding with Nutrison Peptisorb starting the same day. Both groups follow the same feeding escalation protocol. This single-centre trial aims to enroll 160 patients, with outcomes assessed up to 90 days post-surgery. During the study, participants will have their chest drain output monitored and undergo clinical and biochemical assessments for chyle leak on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5. Researchers will evaluate chylothorax incidence, re-intervention needs, and length of hospital stay. The trial includes safety monitoring and intends to analyze results on an intention-to-treat basis, with participant involvement spanning the immediate postoperative period and follow-up for complications.

MCT Enteral Feeding to Reduce Chyle Leak After Oesophagectomy