Prospective multicentre observational cohort to assess quality of life, functional outcomes and cost-effectiveness following minimally invasive surgical techniques for rectal cancer in ‘dedicated centres’ in the Netherlands (VANTAGE trial): a protocol
,
Maarten Postma,
Roel Hompes,
A.H.W. Schiphorst,
Adelita Ranchor,
A. Pronk,
Ritch Geitenbeek,
Thijs Burghgraef,
David Zimmerman,
Marcel Dijkgraaf,
Paul Verheijen,
Esther Consten,
G.J.D. van Acker,
T.S. Aukema,
H.J. Belgers,
F.H. Beverdam,
J.G. Bloemen,
K. Bosscha,
S.O. Breukink,
P.P.L.O. Coene,
R.M.P.H. Crolla,
P. van Duijvendijk,
E.B. van Duyn,
I.F. Faneyte,
S.A.F. Fransen,
A.A.W. van Geloven,
M.F. Gerhards,
W.M.U. van Grevenstein,
K. Havenga,
I.H.J.T. de Hingh,
C. Hoff,
G. Kats,
J.W.A. Leijtens,
M.F. Lutke Holzik,
J. Melenhorst,
M.M. Poelman,
J.M.J. Schreinemakers,
C. Sietses,
A.B. Smits,
I Somers,
E.J. Spillenaar Bilgen,
H.B.A.C. Stockmann,
A.K. Talsma,
P.J. Tanis,
J. Tuynman,
E.G.G. Verdaasdonk,
F.A.R.M. Warmerdam,
H.L. van Westreenen,
D.D.E. Zimmerman
Affiliations
3International Collaboration
Maarten Postma
Unit of Global Health, Department of Health Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
Roel Hompes
Surgery, Amsterdam UMC,University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A.H.W. Schiphorst
Adelita Ranchor
4 Department of Health Psychology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
A. Pronk
IRAS-TNO
Ritch Geitenbeek
Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
Thijs Burghgraef
Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
David Zimmerman
Department of Surgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis, Tilburg, The Netherlands
Marcel Dijkgraaf
Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, UMC - Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Paul Verheijen
Department of Surgery, Meander Medical Centre, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Esther Consten
Department of Surgery, Meander Medical Centre, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Introduction Total mesorectal excision is the standard of care for rectal cancer, which can be performed using open, laparoscopic, robot-assisted and transanal technique. Large prospective (randomised controlled) trials comparing these techniques are lacking, do not take into account the learning curve and have short-term or long-term oncological results as their primary endpoint, without addressing quality of life, functional outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Comparative data with regard to these outcomes are necessary to identify the optimal minimally invasive technique and provide guidelines for clinical application.Methods and analysis This trial will be a prospective observational multicentre cohort trial, aiming to compare laparoscopic, robot-assisted and transanal total mesorectal excision in adult patients with rectal cancer performed by experienced surgeons in dedicated centres. Data collection will be performed in collaboration with the prospective Dutch ColoRectal Audit and the Prospective Dutch ColoRectal Cancer Cohort. Quality of life at 1 year postoperatively will be the primary outcome. Functional outcomes, cost-effectiveness, short-term outcomes and long-term oncological outcomes will be the secondary outcomes. In total, 1200 patients will be enrolled over a period of 2 years in 26 dedicated centres in the Netherlands. The study is registered at https://www.trialregister.nl/9734 (NL9734).Ethics and dissemination Data will be collected through collaborating parties, who already obtained approval by their medical ethical committee. Participants will be included in the trial after having signed informed consent. Results of this study will be disseminated to participating centres, patient organisations, (inter)national society meetings and peer-reviewed journals.
