Rick Sasso, MD

Computer-assisted spinal navigation provides an alternative to traditional imaging used during spine surgery.  With traditional imaging during spine/ back surgery – this exposes the patient and medical team to unnecessary radiation.  Additionally, the images are not in real-time. 

With the newer computer-assisted spinal navigation system now used – spine surgeons see images in real time and are able to see multi-level images.  Additionally, this reduces radiation exposure and allows for greater visualization for instrumentation.

With this newer technology, it had not been determined if the patient’s time in surgery was affected.  A study that I conducted with another spine surgeon concluded that computer-assisted spinal navigation did reduce the operating time.  For this research, a detailed review of the patient’s medical record was analyzed.  Patients included in the study had undergone spinal fusion surgery for isthmic spondylolisthesis.  

It is my prediction that computer-assisted spinal navigation will become standard practice for spine surgery.  It not only reduces surgical time, but also reduces the risk of radiation exposure to the patient and medical team and also provides a mechanism for greater accuracy for spinal instrumentation during spine surgery.

Here is a link to an abstract of the study.