A New Simple, Cost-Effective Navigation System (EASY Navigator) for Neurosurgical Interventions

Abstract

Navigation technique facilitates reaching deeply seated masses more precisely with the least sacrifice of normal tissues. There are 2 primary navigation systems: electromagnetic and infrared (optical). The technique is based on recording the head position intraoperatively and merging this image with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. We tried to replace these conventional navigating systems with a simple technique using free software (3-dimensional slicer) and a computer air mouse. The study was designed into 3 stages. In stage 1, we used this method on 3-dimensional printed models of patients' magnetic resonance images with deeply seated brain tumors. In stage 2, we performed the surgeries on patients. In the last stage, we used both the conventional navigation system with our method simultaneously on the same patients and compared the accuracy of both methods. This new system was as accurate as conventional navigating systems, ranging from ±2 mm. This new technique, if done properly, can replace conventional methods with less time of preparation, and its cost is almost free.