The Impact of an Armless Frameless Neuronavigation System on Routine Brain Tumour Surgery: A Prospective Analysis of 51 Cases

A passive infrared armless and frameless neuronavigation system was introduced in routine intracranial and skull base surgery, and its impact on 51 cases in a one year period was assessed. No cases were rejected by the operating surgeon for lack of accuracy (> 3 mm). Operating time was not significantly lengthened, except in transphenoidal cases (255 ± SD 168 min versus 185 ± SD 119 min, p = 0.02). Length of stay was shorter in navigation cases in supratentorial glioma (12 ± SD 7.3 days versus 15 ± SD 7.9 days) and meningioma (11 ± SD 5.3 days versus 16 ± SD 6.7 days, p = 0.01). Outcome at 3 months was comparable in both the supratentorial glioma and meningioma group. Problems such as setup time and brain shift are addressed and discussed.

Key words:

Navigation - Frameless - Stereotaxy - Brain Shift

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