Navigation in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Brief Review of Literature

Cranio-maxillofacial skeleton is a complex entity due to its intricacy to the vital structures of skull base and cervical column. Throughout the years, surgeons have attempted to gain a better understanding of the region with the aid of the continuously evolving and innovating technologies. One such milestone in this horizon was the advent of Navigation Assisted Surgery. Having its roots in neurosurgery, it eventually gained acceptance and popularity in surgeries related to the cranio-maxillofacial region. The principle behind Navigation Assisted Surgery is similar to that of a Global Positioning System (GPS) with three primary components: the localizer, instrument or surgical probe and patient radiographic image. The two types of navigation system currently popular are the optical and electromagnetic systems. While optical system uses cameras fitted with Infrared (IR) filters fitted in front of the camera lens, electromagnetic system utilizes the electromagnetic field and both these systems are not without their pros and cons. In the craniomaxillofacial region, Navigation Assisted Surgery is now being utilized for a range of procedures beginning routine dentoalveolar surgeries to complex skull base surgeries. In this review, we aim to briefly discuss the history, principle, types and clinical applications of Navigation Assisted Surgery in oro-maxillofacial region.