Phone calls out, photos in: new study tests digital communication for cancer surgery

This study tested whether sharing photos and videos between surgeons and pathologists during head and neck cancer surgery can improve the accuracy of frozen section analysis. Instead of relying only on phone calls, the surgeon sent images of the tumor and surgical site, and the pathologist sent back marked images showing where additional tissue might need to be removed. The goal was to increase the rate of complete tumor removal (R0 resection). 155 patients participated, and standard phone communication was maintained for safety.