Computer-assisted navigation in complex cervical spine surgery: Tips and tricks

Nicholas Wallace, Nathaniel E. Schaffer, Brett A. Freedman, Ahmad Nassr, Bradford L. Currier, Rakesh Patel, Ilyas S. Aleem

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stereotactic navigation is quickly establishing itself as the gold standard for accurate placement of spinal instrumentation and providing real-time anatomic referencing. There have been substantial improvements in computer-aided navigation over the last decade producing improved accuracy with intraoperative scanning while shortening registration time. The newest iterations of modeling software create robust maps of the anatomy while tracking software localizes instruments in multiple display modes. As a result, stereotactic navigation has become an effective adjunct to spine surgery, particularly improving instrumentation accuracy in the setting of atypical anatomy. This article provides an overview of stereotactic navigation applied to complex cervical spine surgery, details the means for registration and direct referencing, and shares our preferred methods to implement this promising technology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)136-144
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Spine Surgery
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2020

Keywords

  • Cervical vertebrae/surgery
  • Computer-assisted/instrumentation
  • Orthopedic procedures/instrumentation
  • Spine/ surgery
  • Stereotaxic techniques
  • Surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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