Minimal access nerve surgery and interventional magnetic resonance imaging

Area of Science:

• Minimally invasive surgical techniques
• Interventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (iMRI)
• Intraoperative guidance systems

Background:

• Traditional surgical methods often lack real-time imaging capabilities.
• Advancements in imaging technology are crucial for improving surgical precision and outcomes.
• Minimal access surgery offers potential benefits in reduced patient trauma and recovery time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel minimal access surgical techniques.
• To assess the utility of percutaneous open-configuration iMRI.
• To compare different iMRI configurations and electromyographic guidance in a standard operating room.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of over 2500 percutaneous open iMRI procedures.
• Analysis of 25 incisional surgery open iMRI cases and 3 closed/cylindrical iMRI cases.
• Assessment of over 1000 minimal access incisional surgery cases with electromyographic guidance.

Main Results:

• Percutaneous open iMRI procedures had cycle times of 10-20 seconds.
• Open surgery with electromyography showed the fastest cycle times (10-15 seconds).
• Closed/cylindrical iMRI systems demonstrated significantly longer cycle times (45-60 minutes) and usability issues.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous open-configuration iMRI offers significant advantages over CT and ultrasound.
• Minimal access surgery and open-configuration iMRI are effective in specific clinical scenarios.
• Closed/cylindrical iMRI systems present considerable challenges for patient safety and surgical efficiency.