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S U R G I C A L
N A V I G A T I O N
Newer systems also let surgeons plan trajectories for certain procedures. For
example, surgeons can use image-guidance to pre-operatively plan a targeted
approach to tumors in the skull base. During surgery, the system guides surgeons
along the pre-planned path, letting them track the correct trajectory.
The footprint and flexibility of units have become increasingly important to
facility administrators and surgical teams. Newer units are more compact,
which is important, especially when using infrared systems that demand a line
of sight between instruments and the imaging unit. On older units, the infrared
cameras were attached to the system's monitors. Now, the cameras are able to
be moved around the OR, providing more flexibility in the overall setup while
still maintaining the required direct line of sight.
Dr. Wolf (jwolf@sma il.umaryland.edu) is associate professor and medical director of
otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine
in Baltimore.
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