Advancing Surgical Pathology Reporting in Head and Neck Cancer through 3D Visualization, Dynamic Documentation, and Optimized Communication

The successful surgical management of head and neck cancer relies on intraoperative communication between surgical and pathological teams to achieve oncologic clearance. Precise documentation of the actions taken and pathological information obtained during surgery is crucial for planning adjuvant treatment and to meaningfully interpret surveillance imaging. Achieving oncologic clearance of the cancer has significant implications with respect to reducing the risk of recurrence, reducing the need for multimodality adjuvant therapy, and improving quality of life. The surgical pathology report guides postoperative care, and yet it falls short of conveying the comprehensive body of information obtained at the time of surgery. We report the use of 3D scanning technology, principles of standardization, and software developments to improve the current surgical workflow and final pathology report. The approach described here integrates dynamic three-dimensional (3D) visuals, a series of intraoperative timeouts, annotated radiographs, and a novel surgical pathology reporting software to improve both intraoperative communication as well as postoperative understanding by medical and radiation oncologists. This unique methodology addresses shortcomings in the current and stagnant standard of care for pathologic documentation, paves the way for significant innovations in surgical pathology reporting, and holds the promise of improving patient outcomes.