Redefining the applications of navigation in spine surgery

Intraoperative navigation in spine surgery has evolved into an increasingly versatile platform that enhances precision, safety, and operative workflow across a variety of surgical procedures. In the setting of burst fractures, it improves spatial awareness during vertebrectomy, ensuring complete disc removal, accurate endplate preparation, and safe anterior column reconstruction. In sacral and metastatic tumors, navigated osteotomies facilitate precise margin definition and tumor resection. Navigated deployment of interbody and expandable corpectomy cages optimizes positioning and reduces fluoroscopy dependence. Finally, ultrasonography allows for real-time visualization of tools in trauma cases. These instances collectively underscore the multifaceted role of navigation beyond instrumentation alone. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2026.4.FOCVID2631.