The author reviews the computer and robotic tools available to urologists to help in diagnosis and technical procedures. The first part concerns the contribution of robotics and presents several systems at various stages of development (laboratory prototypes, systems under validation or marketed systems). The second part describes image fusion tools and navigation systems currently under develo...

Computer-assisted navigation has a role in some orthopedic procedures. It allows the surgeons to obtain real-time feedback and offers the potential to decrease intra-operative errors and optimize the surgical result. Computer-assisted navigation systems can be active or passive. Active navigation systems can either perform surgical tasks or prohibit the surgeon from moving past a predefined zon...

These are just a few representative applications of the synergistic use of computer and robotic technology assisting the orthopaedic surgeon. While the individual systems are certain to change over time, the basic principles of correlating radiographic and anatomic data through a registration process, and displaying additional instrument or implant information through smart tools and surgical n...

In cranio-maxillofacial surgery physicians are often faced with the reconstruction of massively destroyed or radically resected tissue structures caused by trauma or tumours. Also corrections of dislocated bone fragments up to the complete modeling of facial regions in cases of complex congenital malformations are common tasks of plastic and reconstructive surgeons. With regard to the individua...

Computer-assisted virtual surgery is a rapidly emerging topic in the dentistry field (1). Recent developments of high resolution computed tomography (CT) has enabled a better understanding of the complex anatomical structure. The combination of high resolution CT, three-dimensional reformatted images, and stereolithographic models have improved the convenience and accuracy in oral and maxillofa...

The authors performed a matched-paired study comparing 22 computer-assisted surgery (CAS)-unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) revisions with a similar group of knee replacement revisions performed conventionally. The aim of the study was to assess differences in implants used in the revision, surgical time, limb alignment, joint line restoration, and procedure costs. In the conventional gro...