Does Image-Guided Surgery Reduce Complications?

Image-guided surgery (IGS) is progressively used in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and surgeon comfort with the technology has increased. It remains a challenge to determine if the use of IGS in ESS leads to a reduction in surgical complications and improved outcomes. Current literature does not show a clear reduction in surgical complications. The routine use of IGS in ESS as a deterrent to medicolegal liability is not substantiated by recent reported data. There are particular situations in which IGS may be helpful, but its use is likely not required for routine ESS and seems best left to surgeon discretion.