IGS or neuronavigation, supports minimally invasive procedures, and studies show that it may improve patient outcomes and preserves neurological function [1]. This, in return, reduces the length of hospitalization, increases patient flow and reduces the risk of revision surgeries. These are all factors where neuronavigation contributes to the reduction of overall hospital cost [1].
Image-guided surgery (IGS) is used to plan and perform minimally invasive surgery, such as a brain tumor removal or a brain biopsy. During a neuronavigation procedure, instrument movement inside the brain can be tracked on the monitor with millimeter accuracy, helping to avoid surrounding healthy tissue and critical areas as much as possible.
Countless surgeons have commented and research shows many benefits of IGS:
The real-time display of instrument location, orientation and relationship to nearby structures in the brain has been demonstrated to enhance the confidence of surgeons and their perception of safety [2].
Image guided surgery is designed to help surgeons target the brain tumor with pinpoint accuracy. Accurately locating and removing the brain tumor is important and helps surgeons to preserve the patient’s brain functions after surgery. Studies have shown that functional neuronavigation can improve surgical outcomes for complex surgeries [1].
[1] US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
[2] Wadley J et al. Pre-operative planning and intra-operative guidance in modern neurosurgery: a review of 300 cases. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1999 Jul;81(4):217-25.
