Technical accuracy of the integration of an external ultrasonography system into a navigation platform: effects of ultrasonography probe registration and target detection.

Background: Intraoperative navigated ultrasonography has reached clinical acceptance, while published data for the accuracy of some systems are missing. We technically quantified and optimised the accuracy of the integration of an external ultrasonography system into a BrainLab navigation system.

Methods: A high-end ultrasonography system (Elegra; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) was linked to a navigation system (Vector Vision; BrainLab, Munich, Germany).

Percutaneous minimally invasive fetoscopic surgery for spina bifida aperta. Part III: neurosurgical intervention in the first postnatal year.

Objective: To evaluate the need for postnatal neurosurgical intervention after fetoscopic patch coverage of spina bifida aperta (SBA).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 71 fetuses which underwent minimally invasive fetoscopic patch coverage of SBA between 21 + 0 and 29 + 1 weeks of gestation. Postnatal neurosurgical procedures were classified into two types: re-coverage of the SBA within the first 3 months following birth, and shunt placement as treatment of associated hydrocephalus within the first year.