COMPUTER-AIDED ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY

Objectives: To examine four different types of computer-aided endoscop ic sinus surgical devices-the ISG Viewing Wand, the ISG infrared OptoT rak, the IGT FlashPoint 5000, and the VTI InstaTrak-with emphasis on t heir accuracy and ease of use. Study Design: Prospective study utilizi ng laboratory experiments and intraoperative data collection. Methods: A review of the literature is presented. Patients undergoing endoscop ic sinus surgery during the study period were enlisted under FDA proto cols with IRE consent. Groups of patients had surgery performed with e ach of the above devices-except the FlashPoint 5000. Accuracy measurem ents were recorded, and user and operating staff comments about ease o f use were collected. The FlashPoint 5000 was used exclusively in the laboratory setting, where accuracy measurements were obtained on a cad aver skull, Results: The systems all demonstrated accuracy to within 2 .00 mm. Ease of use was somewhat variable, but following a learning cu rve by the surgeon and operating department personnel, all of the unit s were considered to be relatively user friendly. Conclusions: Compute r-aided endoscopic sinus surgery appears to be the wave of the future. Nevertheless, the modern endoscopic sinus surgeon must have thorough training in the basic anatomy of the paranasal sinuses as well as the various surgical techniques.