Intraoperative navigation: operating room setup
1. Introduction
Intraoperative CT scanning requires a specific pre-planned operating room (OR) setup. This includes:
- Adequate room size
- Appropriate OR table placement
- Appropriate OR table type
- Maintenance of sterile environment
2. Room setup for hybrid OR
Intraoperative CT requires a larger operating room to allow correct placement and maneuvering of the device. The CT scanner needs to be brought into the operating room and positioned at the head of the OR table, in a workspace free of cords, suction tubing, and other equipment. The surgeon should give some thought to where equipment, such as the intraoperative navigation, will be moved to allow access for the CT scanner.
3. Type of OR table
Some CT scanners require a radiolucent head holder to minimize scatter and optimize data acquisition. The head holder needs to be placed prior to patient positioning.
4. Maintenance of sterile environment
The sterile environment can be maintained by draping either the patient or the scanner. The authors prefer to drape the patient with a generic C-arm drape. It is cheaper and faster than using sterile drapes produced for the specific device.
