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Clinical Trials/CTRI/2025/09/094658
CTRI/2025/09/094658
Recruiting
Not Applicable

A prospective double-blinded randomised controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of dexamethasone in post-operative multimodal analgesia after minimally invasive esophagectomy at a tertiary care cancer centre

Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India1 site in 1 country60 target enrollmentStarted: September 29, 2025Last updated:

Overview

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
Enrollment
60
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
To calculate the total opioid consumption (in terms of morphine equivalents) in the post operative period

Overview

Brief Summary

This is a prospective, double-blinded, phase II randomised controlled trial being done to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dexamethasone as a multimodal analgesic in minimally  invasive esophagectomy  in esophageal cancer patients . Patients included in the study will be randomised into two groups: one receiving dexamethasone as an adjunct to standard multimodal analgesia, and the other receiving placebo [ normal saline ] with standard care as per Institutional practice. All the patients will be provided with Fentanyl PCA in the post operative period for 48 hours post surgery

 The primary outcome  will be  to calculate the total opioid consumption in the first 48 hours after surgery in terms of morphine equivalents.

Secondary endpoints will include pain scores  assessment pre determined time intervals , incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, hyperglycemia and safety parameters such as wound healing complications, infections, and anastomotic leak.

 The trial will follow Good Clinical Practice guidelines, with appropriate safety monitoring and interim analyses. Findings are expected to clarify whether dexamethasone provides a safe and effective enhancement to multimodal pain management after minimally invasive esophagectomy in a cancer care setting.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Masking
Participant and Investigator Blinded

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
18.00 Year(s) to 80.00 Year(s) (—)
Sex
All

Inclusion Criteria

  • Patients aged 18 to 80 years undergoing minimally invasive oesophagectomy (Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery / Robotic).

Exclusion Criteria

  • Contraindications to Dexamethasone- a) Diabetic patients with HbA1c more than 6, patients requiring insulin therapy b) Patients with evidence of preoperative infection suggested by fever, radiological signs suggestive of infection in the chest, deranged CRP, PCT, WBC more than 11,000 or less than
  • c) Patients on chronic steroid therapy.
  • Chronic therapy with opioids, drug addiction, or a history of drug abuse.
  • Contraindications to diclofenac- a) Deranged Renal function suggested by past history of Acute Kidney Injury / Chronic Kidney Disease, with serum creatinine
  • Contraindications to diclofenac- a) Deranged Renal function suggested by past history of Acute Kidney Injury / Chronic Kidney Disease, with serum creatinine more than 1.5 mg percent and /or requiring dialysis/ Renal replacement Therapy, b) Deranged renal function tests –serum creatinine value more than 1.5mg / dl c) Patients with low platelet counts ( less than 75,000 per microlitre) d) Patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease, e) Patients with pre-existing susceptibility to Aspirin-induced Bronchial asthma.
  • Contraindication to Paracetamol -liver dysfunction- Child – Pugh – Turcotte score of class B (value 7 – 9 ) and above, indicating moderately impaired hepatic function 1.5 mg percent and /or requiring dialysis/ Renal replacement Therapy, b) Deranged renal function tests –serum creatinine value more than 1.5mg / dl c) Patients with low platelet counts ( less than 75,000 per microlitre) d) Patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease, e) Patients with pre-existing susceptibility to Aspirin-induced Bronchial asthma.
  • Contraindication to Paracetamol -liver dysfunction- Child – Pugh – Turcotte score of class B (value 7 – 9 ) and above, indicating moderately impaired hepatic function.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

To calculate the total opioid consumption (in terms of morphine equivalents) in the post operative period

Time Frame: First 48 hours after surgery

Secondary Outcomes

  • Numeric Rating Scale (0-10) for pain at rest ( NRS REST), Numeric Rating Scale after exercise ( NRS EXERCISE ), Maximum inspiratory efforts on spirometer at predefined time intervals(1-4 hours, 4-8 hours, 8-12 hours, 20-24 hours, 30-36 hours and 44- 48 hours after the surgery)
  • The worst pain NRS(at 24 hours and 48 hours)
  • Episodes of hyperglycaemia (blood sugar levels above 180 mg/dl)(up to 48 hours)
  • Episodes of post-operative nausea, vomiting(Till 48 hours post surgery)
  • Incidence of –

Investigators

Sponsor
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
Sponsor Class
Research institution and hospital
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Dr Swapnil Y Parab

Tata Memorial Hospital

Study Sites (1)

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