Augmented Reality Guidance for Head and Neck Tumor Resection

This observational study is testing a new Augmented Reality (AR) surgical guidance system, delivered through devices like Microsoft HoloLens 2, to help surgeons more accurately remove head and neck tumors. Head and neck cancers can return, and precise surgery is key to preventing this. Currently, surgeons and pathologists communicate verbally about tumor margins, which can be imprecise, especially with soft tissues that change shape. This AR system aims to provide GPS-like spatial maps over the patient's anatomy to improve surgical precision. The study will evaluate how well surgeons perform tasks like suturing and relocating specimens with and without AR guidance, and gather feedback on their experience. The goal is to improve surgical accuracy and patient outcomes. The study is currently recruiting surgeons, surgical fellows, and resident physicians with prior surgical experience.

Study design
This is an observational study with a planned enrollment of 51 participants. It will evaluate the use of Augmented Reality guidance during surgical tasks.
What's involved
Participants will complete various surgical tasks on cadaveric specimens, both with and without AR assistance. They will also complete post-task surveys and interviews.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Performance and user experience will be measured within 90 minutes of completing the AR-guided task.

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NCT07686211

Deformable Tissue Modelling and Augmented Reality Based Guidance for Head and Neck Tumor Re-Resection Task

Recruiting
Not specifiedAll AgesObservational
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
~51 participants
Updated 2026-07-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Augmented Reality

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Performance Task accuracy (e.g., resection precision)
Measured over within 90 minutes of AR-guided use
+2 more outcomes measured
Physician
Surgeon
Resident Doctor
Resident Surgeon
Surgical
Fellow
1 sites across 1 states
Tennessee1
  • Michael Topf, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Jie Ying Wu Assistant Professor of Computer Science, PhD
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  • Performance Task accuracy (e.g., resection precision)within 90 minutes of AR-guided use

    Surgeon performance of target re-localization compared with and without the AR-headset.

  • User Experienceimmediately after the AR-guided task.

    Assess AR usability, ease of use, and comfort, through surgeon feedback surveys

  • Accuracy of overlay alignmentwithin 90 minutes of completing the AR-guided task.

    This will validate the accuracy of overlay alignment through landmark-based (tumor margin relocation) error metrics, which support precision of re-resection tasks.