Image Guidance Surgery

One of the latest improvements in nasal and sinus surgery is the use of image guidance systems. Different companies make instrumentation that can calibrate a computed tomography (CT) scan to a machine that hooks up to some of the surgical instruments that your surgeon uses while performing surgery. When your surgeon places these surgical instruments into your nose and sinuses during surgery, he or she can see the position of the instrument on the calibrated CT on the monitor.

This technology sounds like the best surgical thing since sliced bread, and it certainly has been beneficial in many cases. However, use of this instrument is not indicated in every surgery. First of all, the technology has limitations. All of the guidance systems do not connect to all of the instruments needed for sinus surgery. Furthermore, if the calibration is off, the instruments can lead the surgeon into a dangerous area. Use of this instrument adds time to the procedure, and the cost is fairly expensive. Last, your surgeon should use this technology only when it is necessary, and it is important for your surgeon to be comfortable performing the
surgery without the instrumentation. The guidance system should be used as an adjunct.

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Image Guidance Surgery

One of the latest improvements in nasal and sinus surgery is the use of image guidance systems. Different companies make instrumentation that can calibrate a computed tomography (C

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