[Sources of error and risks in CT based navigation]

Based on the experience of 4 cervical, 102 thoracic/lumbar pedicle screw and 14 transiliosacral screw implantations all problems and complications were collected. Problems noted within the data collection in the preoperative CT were an incomplete acquisition of the surgical target (n = 3), an exceeding of the processable scan slices (n = 1) and a non focused field of view. Transmission of the CT datas often were documented as incomplete (n = 16). Segmentation of the CT dataset turned out to be the significant problem with incorrect differentiation of the bone-soft tissue transition (n = 2), where as the choice of the matching points and the trajectories did not provoke any mistakes in the planning modus. The intraoperative matching of both corresponding datasets was insufficient (n = 7), while the assignment of the CT dataset to the correct vertebral was not a major problem (n = 1). Navigation was not possible (n = 2) due to an instability of the spinal process. All fiducial based matching procedures (pelvis) were carried out without any problems. During intraoperative navigation potential complications resulted from deformation of instruments (n = 1) and interaction of instruments and the data reference base (n = 2). Further, the CT-based navigation of fractured vertebrae or unstable iliosacral joints is not safe, because dislocations between acquisition of the dataset and operation will lead to misguidance.