title: Computed intraoperative navigation guidance--a preliminary report on a new technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the value of a computer-assisted three-dimensional guidance system (Virtual Patient System) in maxillofacial operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory and open clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching Hospital, Austria.
  
  
  METHODS
  6 patients undergoing various procedures including removal of foreign body (n=3) and biopsy, maxillary advancement, and insertion of implants (n=1 each).
  
  
  METHODS
  Storage of computed tomographic (CT) pictures on an optical disc, and imposition of intraoperative video images on to these. The resulting display is shown to the surgeon on a micromonitor in his head-up display for guidance during the operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  To improve orientation during complex or minimally invasive maxillofacial procedures and to make such operations easier and less traumatic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful transferral of computed navigation technology into an operation room environment and positive evaluation of the method by the surgeons involved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer-assisted three-dimensional guidance systems have the potential for making complex or minimally invasive procedures easier to do, thereby reducing postoperative morbidity.
authors.affiliation: University-Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Enislidis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ploder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ewers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002508:Cephalometry; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D012984:Software; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019112:Teleradiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014741:Video Recording