Oesophagectomy and chest wall and respiratory function
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Changes in respiratory function and chest wall movement following oesophagectomy
IRAS ID
255725
Contact name
Sheraz Markar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 10 months, 17 days
Research summary
Open surgery for oesophageal cancer commonly involves large incisions in the chest, associated with a high rate of respiratory complications. Minimally invasive approach through keyhole surgery has been shown to reduce lung infections by 20%. Enhanced recovery programmes are evidence-based protocols aiming at early recovery after surgery with early mobilisation and chest physiotherapy and have been shown to reduce lung complication rates as well. We intend to objectively measure chest wall movement using a 3D motion capture system as well as a wearable measurement system to monitor chest wall movement.
The study population consists of 50 healthy volunteers who have not received upper gastrointestinal surgery and 100 patients treated with surgery more than one year ago (50 open and 50 minimally invasive). Chest wall movement will be measured using a 3D optical motion system and we will establish if inertial measurement units placed strategically on the chest wall are able to quantify chest expansion and lung capacity. Inertial measurement units are sensors developed to define movement. Data will be acquired during different breathing patterns and during use of an incentive spirometry, which is a device that measures lung function and enhances breathing exercises. Lung function tests will be undertaken in all patients and clinical data will be collected for health-related quality of life and other concomitant medical conditions. The target outcome is to determine whether the 3D motion capture and wearable systems are reliable in the measurement of chest wall movement after surgical removal of oesophagus and the validity and patient acceptability of wearable system.
A tailored physiotherapy may be developed following this study in order to improve chest wall movement. This can then be implemented in a clinical trial to provide the evidence base to for patient-tailored physiotherapy following major cancer surgery and to optimise respiratory function.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0362
Date of REC Opinion
4 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion