Oesophagectomy is very invasive surgery. A leakage at the level of the connection between oesophagus and stomach made during surgery causes a lot more problems and can lead to death. Studies show that the leakage rate sometimes goes up to 40 per cent. The chance of dying if you develop a leak after surgery is 15%, while the overall chance of dying during hospitalisation for this procedure is about 4%. We want to investigate whether the use of this new type of 'glue' (Obsidian®) can reduce the number of leaks. We invite you to participate in a clinical trial with the aim of investigating whether Obsidian® is safe and can reduce the number of leaks after oesophageal surgery in patients with oesophageal cancer. We want to apply a new type of 'glue', Obsidian®, at the level of the new connection between oesophagus and stomach.

STUDY PRODUCT Autologous BioMatrix: Obsidian (medical device class III)

STUDY POPULATION Subjects ≥ 18 years and ≤ 75 years of age scheduled for elective Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal cancer with a circular stapled intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis.

SAMPLE SIZE A total of 90 patients will be included in the study. ENROLEMENT PERIOD Based on an annual number of 70-80 esophagectomies in University Hospital Ghent, we predict an enrolment period of 3 years.

STUDY DURATON Considering a 3 years enrolment period and a 1 year follow up we predict a study duration of 4 years.

PRIMAIRY ANALYSIS

• Anastomotic leak within 30 days post operatively. Anastomotic leak type I, II and III is defined according to the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG).

1. Inclusion criteria Preoperatively

   • Subjects ≥ 18 years and ≤ 75 years who are willing to participate and provide written informed consent prior to any study-related procedures.
   • Subjects with esophageal carcinoma (distal until Siewert II) scheduled for elective minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (cT1-4a,N0-3,M0).

   Intra-operatively

   - Intrathoracic circular stapled esophagogastric anastomosis

2. Exclusion criteria preoperatively

   • Female patients who are pregnant or nursing
   • Participation in another study involving investigational drugs or devices.
   • Use of Avastin within 30 days prior to surgery
   • ASA IV (patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life)
   • Patients with other malignancies
   • Patients with previous esophageal or gastric surgery
   • Known hypersensitivity to batroxobin and tranexamic acid.
   • HB level < 8 g/dL
   • Patients on medicine containing acetylsalicylic acid not able to stop using the medicine for medical reasons minimum 3 days before taking the blood sampling.
   • Patients on clopidogrel not able to stop clopidogrel for medical reasons 7 days before blood sampling
   • Patients on other platelet aggregation inhibitor therapies not able to stop using the platelet aggregation inhibitor therapies for 3 days before taking the blood sample.

Intra-operatively

• Intra-operative findings that may preclude conduct of the study procedures, such as pleural metastasis, tumor invasion in other organs, …
• Anastomosis preformed differently than the standard of care
• Excessive bleeding (>500 ml) prior to anastomosis