What is neuronavigation?

Neuronavigation is an advanced technology application that is generally used in brain nerve and spinal cord surgery department surgeries.

What is neuronavigation?

It can be compared to the navigation systems used in automobiles and mobile phones. Neuronavigation provides guidance to the surgeon during surgery and helps to plan a sensitive surgical approach to the targeted lesion by defining the surrounding nerve and vascular structures. The neuronavigation system, which significantly increases the success of brain, nerve and spinal cord surgery, also allows surgeries to be safer.

IN WHICH DISEASES IS NEURONAVIGATION USED?

Neuronavigation system is mostly used in the operations of brain, nerve and spinal cord surgery.

• Brain tumor surgeries
• Cerebral hemorrhage
• AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) in the surgery of cerebrovascular diseases
• In cases of Parkinson's or similar diseases with tremor, in surgeries requiring battery insertion
• Spine surgeries and determination of the direction of the screws placed in the spine
• In addition, neuronavigation system can be used in some orthopedic surgeries.

Benefits of Neuronavigation System (Features that make the difference)

It shows the surgeon the shortest and safest route to the area where the lesion is located with the help of previously taken MRI and CT images in brain and spine surgeries known as sensitive area surgeries. Since the surgeon reaches the area to be operated on with the help of neuronavigation, the targeted area is approached with almost zero error and the healthy tissue is damaged at the least level. Risky brain and spine surgeries, where even millimetric errors can lead to negative consequences, become safer with the use of neuronavigation technology.

The advantages of using the neuronavigation system in operations can be listed as follows;

• Deep brain lesions can be defined more accurately.
• The tumor is removed more precisely.
• The surgery is performed with a smaller incision than the skin and bone.
• Less blood is used.
• Operation time is shortened
• Surgery wound heals faster
• The length of stay in the hospital is shortened and the patient can return to social life more quickly.
• Frequently Asked Questions About Neuronavigation

How Is The Patient Prepared For Neuronavigation?

There is no different preparation for patients who will use neuronavigation in their surgery, except for the preparations made in standard surgeries.

Advanced Magnetic Resonance (MR) or Computed Tomography (CT) images of the area to be operated before surgery are taken.

The 3-dimensional images obtained are placed on top of each other and uploaded to the "Neuronavigation" device used in the surgery. After the patient is taken into the operating room, the surgical area is designated at the computer in 3D with the help of a probe that is passed over the skin surface.

In this way, the shortest and safest road map to reach the area where the surgery will be performed is prepared for the surgical team.

The neuronavigation device, which defines the patient's 3D radiological examinations, allows the surgeon to work only in the problematic area and stay away from the surrounding normal tissues by showing various risk areas in the brain or spinal cord.

Prepared by Memorial Medical Editorial Board.