Surgical navigation in craniomaxillofacial surgery: expensive toy or useful tool? A classification of different indications.

摘要

The complex 3-dimensional (3D) anatomy and geometry of the human skull and face combined with the need for precise symmetry poses challenges for reconstructive surgery of the region. Therefore, and with the technical improvements during the past 10 years or so, surgical navigation has become an established technique in craniomaxillofacial surgery.Many technical problems have been solved, and the accuracy of multiple strategies of imaging and registration has been proved.5 However, the procedure of preparing a patient for navigation is still linked to extra effort for the patient and surgeon. Even nonin-vasive registration procedures, such as a splint fixed to the upper jaw, as described by Schranim et al,6 require dental impressions and additional imaging with the splint in situ.