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Nerve Stimulation During Esophagectomy

Feasibility of Splenic Nerve Stimulation During Esophagectomy

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04171011
Enrollment
14
Registered
2019-11-20
Start date
2019-11-28
Completion date
2020-10-06
Last updated
2020-10-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Inflammatory Response

Brief summary

Esophagectomy is the cornerstone for treatment of esophageal cancer. However, it is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest that systemic inflammation after surgery has a negative impact on surgical outcomes. Attenuation of an excessive inflammatory response within the perioperative period for high-risk surgical procedures may reduce morbidity and mortality. The inflammatory response may be important in the development of these complications and reduction of inflammatory cytokine may be associated with an improved outcome. The current study will evaluate the feasibility and safety of neuromodulation during minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer (esophagectomy) to assess impact on the inflammatory response. During the esophagectomy, a stimulation lead will be placed on the exposed nerves, and energy applied to the lead to test whether the nerves can be activated. The study will also measure potential physiological responses to nerve activation.

Detailed description

Active dampening of the inflammatory response may be an important therapeutic target to decrease complications and improve recovery following esophagectomy. The current study is intended to evaluate the feasibility and safety of stimulating the exposed nerves in esophagectomy patients. During minimally invasive esophagectomy, a neurovascular bundle (NVB) is exposed or partially exposed as part of the obligatory lymph node dissection. At the point in the esophagectomy when the NVB is being isolated, a lead will be applied laparoscopically to the NVB and connected to an external pulse generator. An ultrasound transducer will be introduced to the abdomen and placed on the NVB to visualize splenic arterial blood flow. The NVB will be stimulated while physiologic responses are observed. Blood samples will be taken before, and at certain pre-defined time points after, stimulation and recovery. The lead and ultrasound transducer will be removed after completion of stimulation, and the esophagectomy surgery will continue. Surgeon experience applying and removing the cuff electrode will be documented, in addition to the responses to NVB stimulation. Post-operative safety will be followed through 7-days (or day of discharge if earlier).

Interventions

DEVICEStimulator device

The stimulator device will be used to electrically stimulate the NVB

Sponsors

NAMSA
CollaboratorOTHER
Galvani Bioelectronics
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Female of non-reproductive potential or male * Undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy * Confirmed presence of splenic NVB loop via imaging prior to surgery * Age equal or above 21 years at the screening visit * Capable of giving signed informed consent (IC) * Normal blood pressure, or hypertensive managed with medication such that they are deemed fit for surgery

Exclusion criteria

* Previous splenectomy * Existing implantable device * Active pancreatitis or history of severe pancreatitis with complications, hepatic or splenic disease * Use of oral steroids 4 weeks prior to inclusion * Current use immunosuppressive agents or biologicals. Previous use of biologicals is allowed, if a washout period of 2 months is applied * Use of anticoagulants within 1 week of surgery

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Feasibility applying and removing the stimulation lead: Proportion of participants in whom the lead was successfully applied and removed1 dayProportion of participants in whom the lead was successfully applied and removed
Safety of placement, stimulation and removal of the lead: Incidence of adverse events7 daysIncidence of adverse events

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) blood flow change measured by doppler ultrasoundBefore stimulation and during stimulation
End Diastolic Velocity (EDV) blood flow change measured by doppler ultrasoundBefore stimulation and during stimulation
Velocity Time Integral (VTI) blood flow change measured by doppler ultrasoundBefore stimulation and during stimulation

Other

MeasureTime frame
Cytokine IL-6Before stimulation to Day 1 post stimulation
Cytokine IL-8Before stimulation to Day 1 post stimulation
Heart Rate (HR) changeBefore stimulation and during stimulation
Cytokine TNFBefore stimulation to Day 1 post stimulation
C-Reactive Protein levelAt days 2 and 3 post stimulation
Cytokine IL-10Before stimulation to Day 1 post stimulation
Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) changeBefore stimulation and during stimulation
Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) changeBefore stimulation and during stimulation
Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MAP) changeBefore stimulation and during stimulation
Hematology (white blood cell (WBC) counts)Before stimulation to Day 1 post stimulation

Countries

Netherlands

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026