Computer-assisted functional endoscopic sinus surgery (c-a fess) - a review.

CT and MR imaging give spatial information of patient's disease and anatomy. They help in preoperative surgical planning and guide the surgeon during operation. In conventional Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), surgeon mentally correlates the information of CT and MR with the direct sinuscopic view of operative field. In Computer-Assisted Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery ( C-A FESS), computer provides image guidance for the surgeon. Surgeon can appreciate ike immediate surrounding structures outside the direct endoscopic vision of the surface. Thus widely enhancing the field of endoscopic mage. The overall accuracy of 1 to 2 mm has been reported. Many systems of tracing are being developed and tested far. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is now possible to guide mrgery with intraoperatively acquired MR images. The real-time imaging shows the tissue changes occurring during the operation. Surgeon can safely operate the lesions of optic nerve, sphenoid sinuses, pituitary gland, and cranial base.