Device Evaluates Surgical Margins
At the American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting, Israeli researchers presented findings from studies to evaluate a new tool for use by breast surgeons. An intraoperative probe that uses radio frequency spectroscopy may help physicians ensure they have excised sufficient tissue and that surgical margins will be negative for malignancy.
The device evaluates breast tissue during lumpectomy in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Using the device manufactured by Dune Medical Devices, surgeons can evaluate tissue in real time and expand the excision if a positive tumor margin is detected.
The device can reduce the number of re-excisions by providing surgeons with data at the time of initial surgery. This should reduce overall costs to the healthcare system by eliminating costs for a second procedure.
Perhaps the biggest benefit may be for patients who can be relieved to have tumor removed in a single definitive surgery.
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May 11, 2007 Related topics: New Technology & Innovation, Surgery