Background: Numerous challenges exist in determining surgical margin status. Communication between surgeons and pathologists is crucial for specimen orientation and accurate margin assessment.
Methods: A prospective study to determine feasibility of incorporating three-dimensional (3D) scanning into surgical pathology workflow was performed. A structured-light 3D scanner captured the photorealistic surface topography of fresh surgical specimens. Computer-aided design (CAD) software was used to document sites of margin sampling and sectioning. Surveys were distributed among faculty and staff stakeholders to assess feasibility.
Results: A series of 40 cases were 3D-scanned. Median image acquisition time was 8 min. The majority of respondents agreed that the experimental 3D system helped achieve clearer communication. 3D specimen maps assisted in the communication of a focally positive or close margin in 4 of 17 cases.
Conclusions: Routine 3D scanning and specimen mapping is feasible and represents an innovative approach to intraoperative and final pathology documentation, margin analysis, and surgeon-pathologist communication.
Keywords: 3D printing; 3D scanning; frozen section analysis; head and neck cancer; pathology communication.
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