The use of a navigation system allows precise resection of a tumor and accurate reconstruction of the resultant defect thereby sparing important anatomical structures and preserving function.
It is an “image-based” system where the imaging (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) is required to supply the software with data. The fusion of the preoperative imaging provides pre-operative information about local anatomy and the extent of the tumor so that it allows accurate preoperative planning. Accurate pre-operative imaging is mandatory in order to minimize CATS errors, thus performing accurate tumor resections.
Keywords: Tumor surgery, sacrum, pelvis, imaging, CATS, tumor.