voice. We used to
have to make our
own implants, but
having ready-made
implants of various
sizes makes it possi-
ble to get the desired
outcome much more
quickly.
4. Improved visualization. Between the advent of high-defini-
tion cameras and monitors, more versatile and more ergonomic
microscopes, and image-guided surgery, we've come a long way. And
I'm looking forward to the next steps.
Currently, we're doing image-guided sinus surgery by using a disc
that has CT images already loaded onto it. By putting a tracker on the
patient, we're able to see exactly where we are in relation to those
images. The only drawback is it's not real time. Real-time scans,
which are being used more and more in neurosurgery and other disci-
plines, would help us see whether tissue or organs have shifted during
surgery, as well as making it possible to spot bleeding, clots or other
complications.
As manufacturers continue to refine the technology, I think the day
is coming when we'll be able to have a small scanner in the OR that
lets us perform image-guided surgery in real time. Having that capabil-
ity might be especially useful for complicated ear, skull base and sinus
surgeries. And while ultimately, I think real-time imaging will be valu-
able for both inpatient and outpatient procedures, for smaller outpa-
tient facilities, the feasibility is likely to boil down to when — or
whether — the scanners can be acquired at a reasonable price.
6 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6
• ON SCREEN Image-guided systems allow for more precise navigation during surgery.
