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Intraoperative navigation in complex head and neck resections: indications and limits

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The surgical removal of head and neck tumors often represents a highly complex surgery. The three-dimensionality and the anatomy of the head and neck area make sometimes difficult a correct intraoperative orientation and the obtaining of an adequate oncological safety. In the present pilot study, the authors propose a protocol of application of intraoperative navigation in the resection of head and neck tumors. The purpose is to develop a methodology that can be helpful to ensure oncologic free margins of resection and to facilitate the orientation of the specimen by pathologists.

Materials and methods

A sample of 16 patients with head and neck tumors was selected, and they were differentiated into two groups: a “study group” treated with CT computer-assisted surgery and a “control group” surgically treated without the use of technology. The following data were analyzed: operative and pre-surgical planning times, issues related to the use of the technologies, respect of the planned landmarks, description and orientation of the surgical specimen and distance of the tumor from the margins of resection.

Results

In the “study group” were noticed a reduced rate of errors in the specimen orientation and an increased distance of the tumor from the margins of resection. Similar operative times were observed in both groups.

Conclusions

Intraoperative navigation resulted to be a reliable method to improve oncological safety in a selected group of patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Operative Unit of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Otolaryngology and Dentistry, Head and Neck Department, Hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Viale dei Cappuccini 1, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy

    S. Catanzaro, C. Copelli, K. Tewfik, N. Pederneschi, L. Cassano & R. Cocchi

  2. Operative Unit of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy

    A. Manfuso

Authors
  1. S. Catanzaro
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  2. C. Copelli
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  3. A. Manfuso
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  4. K. Tewfik
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  5. N. Pederneschi
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  6. L. Cassano
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  7. R. Cocchi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Copelli.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and animal rights

All procedures performed involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Catanzaro, S., Copelli, C., Manfuso, A. et al. Intraoperative navigation in complex head and neck resections: indications and limits. Int J CARS 12, 881–887 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-016-1486-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-016-1486-0

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