Objective: To evaluate the clinical advantage and disadvantage of anatomical landmark registration (ALR) and surface registration (SR) in computer-assisted endoscopic sinus surgery (CAESS).
Method: Twenty-six patients were selected for the CAESS, the preparatory times and mean target registration errors (TRE) were recorded in order to compare the difference between them two, their convenience and their value were also analyzed.
Result: CAESSs were successfully used in 26 cases without complications. The average preparation time of SR was (8.5 +/- 1.9) minutes, that of ALR was (6.5 +/- 1.7) minutes. In the SR group, the TRE of naso-labial angle was (1. 43 +/- 0.26) mm, that of front end of middle turbinate was (1.92 +/- 0.47) mm, that of front end of inferior turbinate was (1.82 +/- 0.49) mm, and that of back end of inferior turbinate was (2.03 +/- 0.42) mm. Them in ALR group were (1.58 +/- 0.35) mm, (2.05 +/- 0.37) mm, (1.92 +/- 0.31) mm and (2.48 +/- 0.64) mm, respectively. 24 cases (92. 2%) were not affected or were slightly affected by the navigation system. The value of navigation was affirmative in 22 cases (84. 6%), and its value was mainly related to TRE.
Conclusion: The accuracy of surface registration was superior to that of anatomical landmark registration, but the anatomical landmark registration was more convenient and need less preparation time. The value of navigation system is its accuracy, convenience and no disturbance to surgery. The navigation system is more valuable in the complex cases than that in the general case.