title: Computer-aided endoscopic sinus surgery: a retrospective comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), markedly improved with the introduction of new preoperative imaging techniques, intraoperative visualization tools, and the use of surgical navigation systems. In this retrospective study we evaluated the usefulness of CT-guided endoscopic sinus surgery and studied its advantages over conventional endoscopic sinus surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the records of 60 randomly chosen patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and moderate-to-severe sinonasal polyposis, undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with surgical navigation (n=30) and without navigation (n=30). Data on the operative note, time of surgery, complications, and recurrence rate were collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 60 patients, 40 (66.7%) were diagnosed with CRS and 20 (33.3%) had allergic fungal sinusitis. Primary surgery was performed in 37 (61.7%) and revision surgery was performed in 23 (38.3%) cases. The computer-aided surgery (CAS) group included 28 (93.3%) patients with extensive disease and 12 (40%) with bone erosions, with intraorbital or extradural extension, while the non-CAS group included 24 (80%) patients with extensive disease and seven (23.3%) with bone erosions, with intraorbital or extradural extension. The average operative time was approximately 13 minutes greater in the navigation group, with significant improvement in the recurrence rate (n=11, 36.7% in the non-CAS group; n=5, 16.7% in the CAS group), and intraoperative complications were fewer in the CAS group (two exposures of orbital fat in the non-CAS group; no complications in the CAS group).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer navigational systems appear to serve as a valuable adjunct in preoperative planning and safe intraoperative dissection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ziad8026@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jamil N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Al-Swiahb
authors.forename: Surayie H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Al Dousary
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000601:surgery*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000601:surgery*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult