Optimizing Neuronavigation for Anterior Approach to Cervicothoracic Junction

The anterior approach to cervical spine is a common surgical approach used in spinal surgeries, usually done under fluoroscopic guidance. However, in certain situations like in patients where the area of interest is lower cervical spine, it is not possible to visualize the area of interest with fluoroscopy. The use of intraoperative navigation is very helpful in these scenarios. However, intraoperative navigation is used very sparingly in the anterior approaches to cervical spine. This might be due to the lack of a proper place to fix the reference frame on the anterior aspect of cervical spine. We present our way of using intraoperative navigation during anterior approach to cervical spine.