Optimization of Communication Between Surgery and Pathology

NCT07378345 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 155
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Head and Neck Carcinoma; Frozen Section Management

Keywords

Frozen Section; communication; Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Resection Status; Margin Assessment; HNSCC

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Resection status

  To increase the rate of R0 resections

  from day one through study completion, an average of 1 year

Study Arms (2)

Visual digital communication group

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Procedure: visual description of frozen section results during surgery

traditional telephone communication group

NO INTERVENTION

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

Interventions

visual description of frozen section results during surgery PROCEDURE

This intervention provides more precise information on frozen section results.

Visual digital communication group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Heidelberg University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universtiy of Heidelberg

Mannheim, Germany

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Communication; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Carcinoma; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 14, 2026
• First Posted: January 30, 2026
• Study Start: March 5, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 25, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

DE (1)