ImpRovEd Care After eSophageCtomy Using an Algorithm for postoperativE Complications - RESCUE Trial

The goal of the wash-in period between the control and intervention period is to intensively educate and train physicians to use the algorithm as intended during daily postoperative care. The coordinating investigator along with the local principal investigator will be responsible for this training. Training will be performed in a standardized approach in order to guarantee uniformity across centres.

During the intervention period, (participating) patients will receive algorithm-based care. The RESCUE algorithm is a consensus-based clinical care algorithm developed to standardize postoperative care. The algorithm includes the same modalities as applied in usual care, and does not include novel/experimental modalities, but rather offers a novel, standardized approach to guide the use of common modalities during postoperative care. The daily objective evaluation of patients' condition, vital signs and biochemical parameters is thought to aid early diagnosis of complications after esophagectomy which enables treatment before systemic symptoms become apparent and prevent development of sepsis. Physicians are always allowed to deviate from the RESCUE, but reasons for deviating will be recorded.