Surgical flap opens door to brain tumors in small safety trial

NCT ID NCT03630289

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Northwell Health Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested a new surgical technique in 12 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Surgeons placed a tissue flap from the scalp into the brain tumor cavity to bypass the blood-brain barrier, which normally blocks many treatments. The main goal was to check safety, and researchers also looked at whether it might help patients live longer without the tumor growing.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: surgical tissue flap (temporoparietal fascial or pericranial flap)
What this could lead to: If successful, this technique could allow better delivery of future treatments directly to the brain tumor, potentially improving survival for glioblastoma patients.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early safety study with only 12 participants. The procedure carries risks like infection, stroke, or seizures, and it is not yet known if it truly helps patients live longer.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain cancer glioblastoma glioma susceptibility 1

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BRAIN CANCER GBM GLIOBLASTOMA GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME

Contacts and locations

Locations

Lenox Hill Brain Tumor Center

New York, New York, 10075, United States

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