Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2009; 52(3): 144-148
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1105922
Technical Note

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Flexibility of Head Positioning and Head Fixation Provided by a Novel System for Non-invasive Maxillary Fixation and Frameless Stereotaxy: Technical Note

M. Ortler 1 , C. Unterhofer 1 , R. Bauer 1 , J. Dobesberger 2 , E. Trinka 2 , R. Bale 3
  • 1Clinical Department of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
  • 2Clinical Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
  • 3Interdisciplinary Stereotactic Intervention and Planning Laboratory (SIP Lab), Clinical Division of Radiology I, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
31. Juli 2009 (online)

Preview

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the flexibility in patient positioning and head fixation provided by a newly developed, minimally invasive upper jaw fixation device in combination with standard navigation software.

Technique: The Vogele-Bale-Hohner (VBH) headholder and the Stereotactic Intervention and Planning Laboratory (SIP-Lab) Innsbruck reference frame, were applied in epilepsy surgery requiring stereotactic guidance. The system can be adapted to various positioning and instrument guidance requirements. Instrument holders can be fixed either to a base plate or directly to the mouthpiece. When used together with a head clamp and a stabilizing arm, there are no restrictions on patient positioning. When used with the non-invasive headholder, only the supine position is well-suited for use with the described guidance instrumentation. The system can also be used with the head placed on the horseshoe headholder without altering navigation support.

Conclusion: The VBH mouthpiece combined with an external registration frame is a flexible tool that permits patient positioning and neuronavigation with the head either fixed with a head clamp, or restrained non-invasively with a headholder, or not fixed at all. This might be advantageous within the context of epilepsy surgery.

References

Correspondence

M. OrtlerMD, MSc 

Clinical Department of Neurosurgery

Innsbruck Medical University

Anichstraße 35

6020 Innsbruck

Austria

Telefon: +43/512/504 809 75

Fax: +43/512/504 274 53

eMail: martin.ortler@i-med.ac.at