Accuracy of computer navigation in ear, nose, throat surgery: the influence of matching strategy.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the effect of 4 different matching strategies on the accuracy of computer navigation on the face and within the nose and rhinopharynx.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
Laboratory study.


METHODS
Six human cadavers studied within 24 hours of death.


METHODS
A commercially available navigation system with infrared optical tracking was used for computer navigation on the face and within the nose of the subjects after matching with external fiducials or with 3 different configurations of anatomical landmarks. Navigation errors were measured and correlated to matching strategies and compared through statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Matching with external fiducials on the face results in smaller navigation error than matching with anatomical landmarks. The configuration of matching strategies with anatomical landmarks also significantly determines the accuracy of computer navigation, especially when different locations of accuracy measurement are considered.


CONCLUSIONS
Statistically significant findings have shown that the choice of a matching strategy is a major factor in the accuracy of computer navigation for ear, nose, throat surgery. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000;126:1462-1466
Claes
J
J
Department of Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Belgium. josclaes@glo.be
Koekelkoren
E
E
Wuyts
F L
FL
Claes
G M
GM
Van den Hauwe
L
L
Van de Heyning
P H
PH
D002102:Cadaver; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004423:Ear / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009666:Nose / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed