The use of image guided navigational tracking systems for endoscopic sinus surgery and skull base surgery: A review

Computer-assisted navigation in oral and maxillofacial surgery: A systematic review

Background

The term "navigation" describes a device that can pinpoint critical anatomical features, the most direct path to the target, and the optimal surgical orientation. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive literature search on computer-assisted navigation for use in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, relevant studies were retrieved from five electronic databases: Medline, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Saudi Digital Library (SDL). The central question was, "Does the computer-assisted navigation system improve the outcome of surgical procedures in the oral and maxillofacial region?" The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 was used to determine the various types of bias.

Results

Post-traumatic midfacial reconstruction is one of the many fields that have benefited from the use of computer-assisted navigation because of its reliability. It can also be used to extricate difficult foreign entities from the operative zone. Locating critical anatomical components, communicating the surgical plan to the patient, and verifying surgical success can improve the function and appearance of patients with dentofacial abnormalities. In addition, it decreases the surgical error margin and duration.

Conclusion

Computer-assisted navigation is promising in surgical practice. The accuracy of surgery can be significantly enhanced by first planning the process in a virtual environment and then performing it under close supervision in real time. In addition, the time required for preoperative planning and surgery can be reduced by creating and improving software programs.

Image Guided Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: First Experience from Kashmir Valley

Image guidance is best suited to paranasal sinus surgeries as these demand a high degree of anatomical precision because of close proximity to orbit and cranial cavity which at times is challenging in patients with frequent anatomical variations. This study is aimed to describe our first experience of using image guided endoscopic sinus surgery in Kashmir valley in terms of real time correlation between the operative field and the preoperative imaging; to evaluate its utility in disease clearance and to evaluate patient reported outcome measures using (pre and post-op) VAS, SNOT-22, Lund Mackey endoscopic and radiological scores. This prospective observational study was conducted from September 2016 to August 2018. Patients with the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were operated using image guidance system. Pre and post operative SNOT-22, VAS, Lund Mackey endoscopic and radiological scoring were compared. Operative time, Instrument accuracy and complications were noted. Out of twenty cases enrolled in this study majority (14) patients (70%) were cases of uncomplicated chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. Mean number of sinuses operated were 7.8 ± 2.14. Set up time for installing navigation system in first 10 cases was on an average 17 ± 1.67 min and in second 10 cases it was 12 ± 1.42 min. Mean operative time recorded was 112 ± 17.32 min. Accuracy of our system was 1.25 ± 0.73 mm (0.50-1.80) and average blood loss was 100 ± 23.54 ml. There was statistically significant reduction in postoperative VAS score, SNOT-22 score, Lund Mackey endoscopic and radiological scoring. Revision FESS was done in 12 cases and most common intraoperative absent nasal landmark was middle turbinate in these cases. No orbital or intracranial complication was seen. Minor complications were seen. Image guided surgery is a valuable tool worth use in difficult and revision cases. It makes the surgeon comfortable and saves patient from any major complication.

Increased Accuracy, Confidence, and Efficiency in Anterior Ethmoidal Artery Identification with Segmented Image Guidance

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether using image guidance technology with 3-dimensional image segmentation increases the endoscopic surgeon's accuracy, efficiency, and confidence in identifying the anterior ethmoidal artery.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of attending physicians and residents at an academic medical center. Because identification of the anterior ethmoidal artery during image-guided surgery can be challenging, we studied the effect of anterior ethmoidal artery image segmentation (ie, partitioning and coloring) on surgeon test performance. A computerized test was administered to 16 surgeons who were asked to identify the anterior ethmoidal artery on multiplanar computed tomographic images and to answer multiple-choice questions. Half the questions showed segmented images of the anterior ethmoidal artery, and half showed images without segmentation. Efficiency and accuracy of identification and subjective surgeon confidence were determined for each question. Descriptive statistics were used to compare test performance for identification of the anterior ethmoidal artery on images with or without segmentation.

RESULTS

Percentage of correct answers ( P < .001), efficiency ( P < .001), and confidence ( P < .001) in identification of the anterior ethmoidal artery were significantly better with segmented computed tomographic images.

DISCUSSION

We demonstrated that use of segmented images improves surgeons' accuracy, confidence, and efficiency for identification of the anterior ethmoidal artery.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

We describe how segmentation can allow surgeons to improve the surgical course by increasing their accuracy, confidence, and efficiency in identifying the anterior ethmoidal artery.

Application of computer-assisted navigation systems in oral and maxillofacial surgery

The oral and maxillofacial region has a complicated anatomy with critical contiguous organs, including the brain, eyes, vital teeth, and complex networks of nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, advances in basic scientific research within the field of intraoperative oral and maxillofacial surgery have enabled the introduction of the features of these techniques into routine clinical practice to ensure safe and reliable surgery. A navigation system provides a useful guide for safer and more accurate complex in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The effectiveness of a navigation system for oral and maxillofacial surgery has been indicated by clinical applications in maxillofacial trauma surgery including complex midfacial fractures and orbital trauma reconstruction, foreign body removal, complex dentoalveolar surgery, skull base surgery including surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and orthognathic surgery. However, some fundamental issues remain involving the mobility of the mandible and difficulty in updating images intraoperatively. This report presents an overview and feasible applications of available navigation systems with a focus on the clinical feasibility of the application of navigation systems in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery and solutions to current problems.