Image Guided Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

The Center for ENT
Patient Education
Drs. Weber, Moses and Hung

Image Guided Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Endoscopic sinus surgery and the InstaTrak System
The InstaTrak System is an image guidance system used in minimally-invasive sinus surgery. When used to repair the sinuses, this kind of surgery is referred to as endoscopic sinus surgery, or ESS. Endoscopic sinus surgery is performed through the nostrils using small endoscopes and narrow instruments. The endoscope acts like a miniature telescope to clearly illuminate the surgeon's view of the sinuses. But, like a telescope, the endoscope only provides a close-up view of the immediate surface area.
The InstaTrak System from Visualization Technology, Inc. is an image guidance system that allows the surgeon to see the surrounding sinus anatomy. The System will guide your surgeon at every step of the procedure so diseased sinus tissue can be thoroughly removed, opening blocked breathing passages.

How the InstaTrak System works
The InstaTrack System uses computed tomography (CT or CAT) scans taken prior to surgery to build a computerized model of the skull. This model acts as a three-dimensional road map. It allows the surgeon to see the exact position of the surgical instruments in direct relation to your anatomy.

Conditions where this technology is helpful
The InstaTrak System was designed for use in the treatment of acute and chronic sinusitis, endoscopic dacrocystorhinostomy, optic nerve and orbital decompression, polyp removal, tumor biopsy and removal, repair of CSF leaks, pituitary disorders and encephaloceles.

NOTE: The InstaTrack System should not be used on patients who have electronic devices that connect directly to the brain or nervous system.

Patient Preparation
In radiology, you will be asked to remove all metal objects that you may be wearing on your head, such as jewelry or eyeglasses. You may wish to remove these items before going to Radiology.

A technologist will place the InstaTrak System headset on your head. You will wear the headset while the CT scans needed for your surgery are taken. The headset is designed to fit snugly on your head and across the bridge of your nose, and has earpieces that rest in your ear canal.

When your scans are completed, your surgeon will review them for surgical planning the surgery. They CT scan information will then be digitally transferred to the operating room InstaTrak System computer.

When the surgery is performed, you will be wearing the headset so that your sinus anatomy will be accurately related to the InstaTrak System. This will allow your surgeon to treat your sinus disease with exact precision, permitting a complete surgery with limited complications.

Ron L. Moses, MD
The Center for ENT
The Bobby R. Alford Department of Otorhinolaryngology and
Communicative Sciences
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas