Image-guided frontal sinus surgery.

Abstract

Most patients with inflammatory frontal sinus disease that is un-responsive to medical therapy can be surgically managed with conventional endoscopic techniques; image-guidance technology is not usually necessary.However, in more advanced cases or for revision surgery, a surgical navigation system can be extremely beneficial in preoperative planning and intraoperative localization of complex frontal sinus outflow anatomy. For patients who have failed endoscopic approaches, external procedures, such as frontal sinus obliteration, can also be enhanced through the application of image guidance. Navigation technology has the potential to improve the efficacy and safety of frontal sinus surgery; however, its use is no substitution for proper surgical training and technique.