Overview

This RCT compares three drainage approaches after minimally invasive esophagectomy (chest tube + thoracic mediastinal drainage tube, thoracic, and abdominal mediastinal drainage tube) to evaluate perioperative outcomes, addressing current evidence gaps in pain and complication profiles.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥18 years
• Pathologically confirmed esophageal cancer requiring three-incision esophagectomy (cervical, thoracic, and abdominal incisions)
• ASA physical status class I-III

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of chronic pain or long-term use of analgesics prior to surgery
• Severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction (e.g., FEV1 <50%)
• Coagulation disorders or patients undergoing reoperation
• Intraoperative findings of extensive pleural adhesions, combined resection of adjacent organs, or other conditions deemed by the investigator to warrant exclusion