Optimization of Communication Between Surgery and Pathology (DigiComSurg)

Heidelberg University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Frozen Section Management; Head and Neck Carcinoma

Treatments: Procedure: visual description of frozen section results during surgery

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07378345

2025-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to investigate the extent to which the oncological safety of frozen sections can be improved through visual communication between head and neck surgery and pathology. To date, communication has taken place exclusively by telephone.

In the study photographs and videos of the tumor are taken and transmitted digitally to the pathology department. This provides the pathologist with a better understanding of the tumor bed and the orientation of the specimen.

Likewise, images of the frozen sections are taken in the pathology department, on which the pathologist marks margins that are not resected in sano or are only narrowly in sano. These images are transmitted to the surgeon and provide a more precise understanding of the areas where additional resection may be required.

To ensure patient safety, frozen section results are also communicated by telephone in the usual manner throughout the duration of the project.

Enrollment: 155 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Histological proof of malignant head and neck carcinoma by biopsy
• Planned curative tumor resection with frozen section management

Exclusion criteria

• No curative tumor resection aiming for R0 status
• Head and neck tumors not assigned to surgical treatment
• No frozen section management planned during surgery

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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155 participants in 2 patient groups

Visual digital communication group

Experimental group

Description:

The group receives frozen section management supported by digital visual communication between surgery and pathology during head and neck tumor resection.

Treatment:

Procedure: visual description of frozen section results during surgery

traditional telephone communication group

No Intervention group

Description:

The group recieves frozen section management with conventionel communication via telephone between surgery and pathology during head and neck tumor resection