title: Navigated laparoscopic ultrasound in abdominal soft tissue surgery: technological overview and perspectives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Two-dimensinal laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) is commonly used for many laparoscopic procedures, but 3D LUS and navigation technology are not conventional tools in the clinic. Navigated LUS can help the user understand and interpret the ultrasound images in relation to the laparoscopic view and preoperative images. When combined with information from MRI or CT, navigated LUS has the potential to provide information about anatomic shifts during the procedure. In this paper, we present an overview of the ongoing technological research and development related to LUS combined with navigation technology, The purpose of this overview is threefold: (1) an introduction for those new to the field of navigated LUS; (2) an overview for those working in the field and; and (3) as a reference for those searching for literature on technological developments related to navigation in ultrasound-guided laparoscopic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases were searched to identify relevant publications from the last 10 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We were able to identify 18 key papers in the area of navigated LUS for the abdomen, originating from about 10-11 groups. We present the literature overview, including descriptions of our own experience in the field, and a discussion of the important clinical and technological aspects related to navigated LUS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LUS integrated with miniaturized tracking technology is likely to play an important role in guiding future laparoscopic surgery.
authors: Department of Medical Technology, SINTEF, 7465, Trondheim, Norway. thomasl@sintef.no
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Langø
authors: Sinara
authors: S
authors: Vijayan
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Rethy
authors: Cecilie
authors: C
authors: Våpenstad
authors: Ole Vegard
authors: OV
authors: Solberg
authors: Ronald
authors: R
authors: Mårvik
authors: Gjermund
authors: G
authors: Johnsen
authors: Toril N
authors: TN
authors: Hernes
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional