In the future, surgical navigation systems will be increasingly augmented and assisted by computers. By integrating all of the components in the operating room, the ICCAS (Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery) wants to make the "Operating Room of the Future" a reality as part of the nationwide German OR.NET joint research project.
"The physician should receive all the necessary information when he/she makes complex treatment decisions during a surgical intervention," says Professor Andreas Melzer, Executive Director of the ICCAS. "The idea is to avoid errors, increase patient safety and relieve the surgeon because the system is designed to work in synch with him/her. I think the OR of the future will be shaped by the interaction between medical devices."
Computer-assisted surgery makes minimally invasive surgical solutions possible. The surgeon quickly gets information to determine where he/she needs to make incisions and perform surgery. Not only does this mean a gentler treatment and less pain for patients, it also leads to more precision, a shorter surgical procedure, and thus lower costs.
Despite the distinct advantages and possibilities, surgical navigation systems also have some drawbacks. For example, they only offer a limited number of programmed surgical interventions. They reach their limits when it comes to more complex surgeries. The systems still require further development at this juncture.