Novel Lumpectomy Scanner Reduces Re-excision Rates

A lumpectomy specimen scanner introduced at a Las Vegas meeting promises rapid whole‑specimen margin assessment and could reduce re‑excisions after breast‑conserving surgery.

Re‑excision after breast‑conserving surgery remains common, with contemporary rates typically 10–20%. Conventional intraoperative margin assessment—frozen section and specimen radiography—is constrained by sampling error and workflow delays. The scanner is designed to close that gap by providing rapid, whole‑specimen margin maps to detect close or positive margins intraoperatively.

The device performs real‑time whole‑specimen imaging: a lumpectomy specimen is placed in the unit (positioned in or adjacent to the OR), automated image acquisition generates margin maps within minutes, and the system highlights suspicious areas for targeted re‑excision. In practice, the lumpectomy specimen scanner outputs a concise margin‑status readout that can inform immediate intraoperative decisions and has potential to reduce secondary operations.

Surgeon feedback at the Las Vegas meeting emphasized clarity and apparent precision of the margin readouts. Attendees reported the lumpectomy scanner integrated into workflows without major disruption, with early signals of faster intraoperative decision‑making and modest reductions in OR time. These impressions are encouraging but remain preliminary and require prospective validation.

Clinical Impact Summary:

• Rapid, whole‑specimen margin maps are available intraoperatively, giving immediate feedback and prompting pilot adoption in some high‑volume breast programs.
• Surgical teams and perioperative services performing breast‑conserving surgery—workflow adaptations will be needed for specimen handling and scanner operation.
• Hospitals considering adoption should run short pilots focused on workflow integration and prospectively track re‑excision rates and OR time.