The neuronavigation system, which is one of the most advanced techniques offered by medical technology in the field of surgery, is an application that helps to clearly define the boundaries of the masses during operations and thus significantly increases the success of the surgery. Neuronavigation is not a stand-alone type of surgery, it is an additional system to surgery that provides safety and comfort and increases success in brain surgeries. This system enables the location of the target to be determined and to reach this target with the least damage and the shortest route, just like the navigation applications used in mobile phones and automobiles. The system, which is only available in health institutions that perform high-tech medical applications, is applied by surgical specialists who have been trained in this technique. The use of the neuronavigation techniques is vitally important brain surgeries, where millimetric inaccuracies can cause great problems, provides great convenience and success in terms of medicine.
What is neuronavigation and how is it done?
In surgeries performed using neuronavigation systems, all borders of the tumor and its relationship with sensitive tissues are clearly determined, and the incision made to reach the mass is made at the most accurate place. The margin of error is very low and USG (ultrasonography) can be used simultaneously with the surgical field. During the use of neuronavigation, a millimetric-thickness MR (magnetic resonance) is taken to the patient. Before the operation, the existing brain tomography and MR images of the patient are uploaded to the computer of the system. These images are fused with each other. The patient’s specific brain mapping is performed. Then, the device is introduced to the markers on the skin by means of an apparatus placed near the patient’s head and laser readers on the operating table. After these procedures, with a special instrument held by the surgeon, the exact location of the brain, the exact location of the lesion, the distance to important areas, and the amount of tumor removal can be followed on a screen. The system works in coordination with the microscope and simultaneous images are obtained with USG. The use of neuronavigation systems in surgical operations that require precision reduces the margin of error of the operation and increases its safety.
What are the benefits and risks of neuronavigation?
Brain surgeries are very risky and it is very important to determine the exact location of the tumor. The use of neuronavigation in these surgeries allows both to prevent damage to healthy tissues while removing the brain tumor, and to perform the surgery through a smaller skin incision and to reach the tumor more quickly. The use of neuronavigation systems in surgical operations ensures that the margin of error during the operations is minimized. However, no matter what technique is used, there is always a margin of error, albeit very small. Since the structure of brain tissues and the functional map of the brain are different in each person, this ratio may differ from person to person. For this reason, it should be known that although the possible risks for an operation performed with the neuronavigation system are much lower than in other operations, there is no definite guarantee. In addition, as the tumor is removed at the time of surgery, there is a minimal change in the coordinates. In this case, the team, the surgeon’s knowledge of anatomy, and the experience of working with the operating microscope come to the fore. For this reason, this technique must be applied by specialist surgeons who have received detailed training about the neuronavigation system and the use of the devices used in this system.
Brain surgeries are very serious operations that need to be well thought through and performed by experts by minimizing the risks. If you also need to undergo a neurosurgery operation, you can have a detailed examination by applying to a health institution where the neuronavigation technique is used. As a result of the examination and diagnostic tests to be performed by specialist physicians, if you are suitable to be operated with this system, you can reserve your day for the operation.