The influence of various registration procedures upon surgical accuracy during navigated controlled petrous bone surgery.

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the dependence of surgical accuracy with a navigated controlled (NC) drill on selected registration procedures.

Study Design: The target registration error of the instrument and the maximum proximity to a typical high-risk structure (facial nerve) were determined within an artificial petrous bone.

Setting: The studies took place in two groups: group 1, navigation bow with six integrated markers and attachment at the upper jaw, and group 2, landmark registration with four titanium microscrews.

Evaluation of the accuracy of three different computer-aided surgery systems in dental implantology: optical tracking vs. stereolithographic splint systems.

Objectives: In dental implant surgery, computer-aided surgery (CAS) techniques can provide a high medical benefit. Two different techniques are established for transferring a CAS treatment planning to the patient: the use of surgical templates (splints) or intraoperative navigation using optical tracking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total application accuracy of three different CAS systems (Artma virtual patient, RoboDent LapAccedo, Materialise SurgiGuide): two featuring optical tracking, one featuring stereolithographically manufactured splints.

Model for nerve visualization in preoperative image data based on intraoperatively gained EMG signals.

While removing bone tissue of the mastoid, the facial nerve is at risk of being injured. In this contribution a model for nerve visualization in preoperative image data based on intraoperatively gained EMG signals is proposed. A neuro monitor can assist the surgeon locating and preserving the nerve.

Virtual endoscopy on a portable navigation system for ENT surgery.

Virtual endoscopy is considered as an ideal aid assessing the complex anatomy of patients and has already been evaluated in several clinical studies. However, due to the increasing quality of modern CT- and MRT-images, present virtual-endoscopy software relies on powerful hardware. In this contribution virtual endoscopy on a portable navigation system for ENT surgery is proposed.

FESS control: realization and evaluation of navigated control for functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

In this paper, a new system for navigated control in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is presented. The system allows the safe and convenient use of a shaver that can be enabled by the surgeon only within a specified working space. Preoperatively, the surgeon defines this working space in the axial slices of the CT scan.