ly as elec-
tromag-
netic
image-
guided
technolo-
gy contin-
ues to
evolve.
There are
now more
tools that
have
joined suc-
tion and probes as trackable options, including active instruments
such as debriders and balloon inflators. Before the addition of action-
able tools, surgeons could look, feel and see. Now they can simultane-
ously look, feel and remove tissue with minimally invasive techniques.
Advances in image guidance and related instrumentation have led to
the development of more minimally invasive sinus-based procedures.
For example, a balloon sinus dilator is one instrument that's recently
been adapted for tracking with image guidance. Surgeons place the
balloon at the sinus opening and use a pressure inflator to inflate the
balloon, which remodels bony walls and soft tissue to allow for a nat-
ural opening that encourages and promotes appropriate sinus
drainage. It also creates a portal through which surgeons can irrigate
the sinuses and remove debris and infectious material. Balloon sinu-
plasty does not require the removal of bone or tissue, resulting in less
post-op bleeding and improved recovery. Those factors allow for a
more minimally invasive procedure that can be safely performed in
1 1 0
O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
z PLUG AND PLAY Image
guidance continues to
evolve and improve, mak-
ing pre-op set-up and intra-
operative use a breeze.
Scotch
Institute
of
Ear,
Nose
and
Throat
