Computer-assisted surgical navigation in revision endoscopic sinus surgery.

Overview

The anatomical variations of surgical landmarks associated with revision endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) represent a significant challenge even to the most experienced surgeon. Multiple studies have demonstrated higher rates of both minor and major complications associated with revision cases. In the past decade, the availability of multiple computer-assisted surgical navigation systems has resulted in its widespread adoption as a tool in ESS.Computer-aided surgery (CAS) allows for triplanar anatomic localization, which may improve spatial orientation and help avoid trauma to vital structures, namely the orbit and anterior skull base.Theoretically, this would result in a lower rate of complications and a more complete surgical exploration. Future advances in CAS involve real-time computer-assisted surgical navigation using an operating room-based CT, C-arm, or MRI unit.