Journal of International Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Surgical procedures involving the maxillofacial region are difficult because of poor exposure, close proximity to highly critical structures and complex anatomy. Conventional surgery in this area requires that the surgeon transfers complex anatomic and surgical planning information, using spatial sense, experience and manual skills. Computer assisted intraoperative navigation provides intraoperative orientation to the surgeon, helps in planning a precise surgical approach to the targeted lesion and defines the surrounding neurovascular structures. Image-guided surgery already has established in other medical fields by providing new revolutionary opportunities that enabled operative morbidity to be significantly reduced whilst improving clinical outcomes.

In maxillofacial and dental area also, its application is expanding to give accuracy in simulating surgical interventions, improved surgical outcome, and shorter operation time. Due to its significant progress in recent years by its technological   advances in frameless stereotactic navigation and portable intra-operative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, it is important to know the development and prospects of navigation before its applications in our field. This article reviews the history, development, prospects, literature of navigation in maxillofacial area and its clinical applications in maxillofacial surgery.