Feasibility of balloon dilatation in endoscopic sinus surgery simulator.

Objective: Assess the feasibility of the use of a life-size model for ESS to perform balloon catheter dilatation of the paranasal sinus ostia.

Study Design And Setting: Four validated sinus models were enrolled in this study. One experienced endoscopic surgeon performed all the dilatations of the paranasal sinus ostia.

Novel compact laptop-based image-guidance system: preliminary study.

Objectives: To describe a novel portable laptop-based image-guidance system and its preliminary navigational results.

Methods: An optic-based, specially developed navigational system and a life-size endoscopic sinus anatomic model were used. The model was submitted to computer tomography (CT), and predefined anatomic landmarks were used to test the image-guidance accuracy according to the real model.