Navigation for Thoracic Spine Surgery

Surgical techniques are developing remarkably with the development of medicine. Compared with past surgical methods, recent surgeries are becoming more accurate and safer, and the results are getting better and better. The development of diagnostic techniques and the development of surgical instruments in the field of spinal surgery have led to these results. The development of previous CT and MRI improved diagnostic ability, and the development of microscope and endoscope changed the spinal operation. Recently, the development of navigation in the field of spinal surgery is raising the level of spinal surgery to a higher level. The navigation has been used to increase the accuracy of the surgery and to reduce side effects and complications, leading to successful surgical results. Navigation of the spinal surgery is combined with real-time CT in the operating room and plays the role of clairvoyance in the surgical field, thereby improving the efficiency and stability of the surgery. Navigation serves to create successful minimally invasive spinal surgery and maximize the effectiveness of the surgery. Recently, navigation has become simpler and more accurate than in the early days, making it easier to use in the field of surgery and safer and more useful to the surgeon. The role of navigation is increasing in procedures using screw fixation, nerve decompression, and endoscopy.