What is computer navigated spine surgery?

For patients considering spine surgery for the treatment of back symptoms, there are many factors you should consider when taking such an important step.  First and foremost, make sure you are getting good advice from a board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon.  If you’re not sure, get a 2nd opinion.

If you’re like many of my patients, you’ll probably ask if the surgery is “minimally invasive”, if lasers are used, and/or if the surgery is done with a camera (endoscopically).  While there may be a role for some of these techniques, most surgery is performed using traditional techniques but with smaller incisions compared to surgery 5, 10, and 15 years ago.  More recently, computer-assisted spinal navigation technology has allowed us to more accurately place instruments and implants into the spine through smaller incisions.

In addition to relying on anatomic landmarks and feel, surgeons use x-rays to confirm the accurate placement of implants into the spine.  In computer-assisted spine surgery, a 3D x-ray of your spine is taken in the OR and matched to your anatomy.  In real time, using special instruments and a 3D camera, the computer software can precisely display your spine, the instruments, and any implants.  Using this technology makes the placement of implants safer, allows for immediate visual confirmation of your specific anatomy, and reduces the need to expose the OR team to repeated doses of X-ray radiation.