Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2015 Nov;37(11):43. 10.1186/s40902-015-0037-x.

Image-guided surgery and craniofacial applications: mastering the unseen

• Wang JC
• Nagy L
• Demke JC

• KMID: 2381869
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40902-015-0037-x

Abstract

Image-guided surgery potentially enhances intraoperative safety and outcomes in a variety of craniomaxillofacial procedures. We explore the efficiency of one intraoperative navigation system in a single complex craniofacial case, review the initial and recurring costs, and estimate the added cost (e.g., additional setup time, registration). We discuss the potential challenges and benefits of utilizing image-guided surgery in our specific case and its benefits in terms of educational and teaching purposes and compare this with traditional osteotomies that rely on a surgeon's thorough understanding of anatomy coupled with tactile feedback to blindly guide the osteotome during surgery. A 13-year-old presented with untreated syndromic multi-suture synostosis, brachycephaly, severe exorbitism, and midface hypoplasia. For now, initial costs are high, recurring costs are relatively low, and there are perceived benefits of imaged-guided surgery as an excellent teaching tool for visualizing difficult and often unseen anatomy through computerized software and multi-planar real-time images.

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Craniosynostoses
Humans
Osteotomy
Surgery, Computer-Assisted*
Synostosis