Image-guided surgery: applications to the cervical and thoracic spine and a review of the first 120 procedures

Object. The authors undertook a study to demonstrate that frameless stereotaxy can be applied safely to the cervical and thoracic spine to minimize complications and associated morbidity. Methods. A retrospective review of cases was conducted involving the use of an image-guidance system for the accurate placement of surgical implants or for resection of lesions within the cervical and thoracic spine. The outcome measures considered were neural injury, vascular injury, wound infection, surgical revision, and death. Conclusions. Image-guidance systems are useful intraoperative tools that can be applied accurately to spinal surgery. In addition, such systems can be of great use in the preoperative planning of complex spinal surgery.