Drainless Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

The aim of this study is the evaluation of two different chest drain management strategies in patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) for esophageal cancer with regard to perioperative complications until discharge.The primary objective of the study is to investigate whether the intensity of postoperative pain can be significantly reduced by avoiding thoracic drains after RAMIE. We assume that this will influence secondary endpoints such as early recovery and length of hospital stay.