Role of the intraoperative frozen section to avoid subsequent operations for tumours in the submandibular triangle

Introduction The diagnosis and treatment of submandibular neoplasms is a challenge due to the large number of possible differential diagnoses and the high proportion of carcinomas. In case of a carcinoma, a single-stage surgical concept would allow safe resection and would also reduced the risk of alteration, especially of neuronal structures, by a two-stage operation. The aim of the study was to evaluate intraoperative frozen section diagnostics as the basis of a one-stage therapy concept.The aim of the study was to evaluate intraoperative frozen section diagnostics as the basis of a one-stage therapy concept.

Methods In 114 consecutive patients intraoperative frozen section biopsy diagnosis (carcinoma vs. no carcinoma vs. unclear) was performed. Patient-related data as well as the reliability of the frozen section result were recorded comparatively.

Results Carcinomas were diagnosed with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 100%. In terms of a one-stage approach, this would have meant that no patient would have suffered unnecessarily extensive therapy and a second operation could have been avoided in 26 out of 30 patients.

Conclusion Intraoperative frozen sections could be an important diagnostic tool to confirm carcinomas histologically and avoid two-stage procedures. Since there were no false-positive findings, no patient underwent a more radical surgical procedure than necessary.

 

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Conflict of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022