Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy for Intraoperative Tumor Assessment: Development of a Conceptual Model for an Evaluation Study.

Brain tumor surgery is a complex medical procedure. The extent of tumor resection is essential for postoperative recovery and survival. The neurosurgeon needs to regularly check the borderline between healthy and cancerous tissue. Currently, tissue samples are extracted via instantaneous sections and sent to a neuropathologist for examination. This process takes time and requires extensive human resources. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) allows visualization of cellular structures in vivo without the need for sample extraction. This paper presents a conceptual model which serves as the hypothetical basis for a planned intervention study to evaluate CLE with the case example of brain tumor surgery. Using current literature and expert interviews, the model has been tested. The expected improvement of the medical outcome could be confirmed. Regarding the socioeconomic impact of CLE, the literature is scarce. Expert interviews confirmed the hypotheses that costs and the workload for clinical staff might increase.