Posted on August 23, 2021

PCI ENT Adds Iowa's First Augmented Reality System

Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa’s Ear, Nose and Throat/Head and Neck Surgery clinic recently announced they have installed a new sinus imaging and guiding system that uses augmented reality. The Stryker ENT navigation system, powered by Scopis software, provides a solution for the difficult challenge of navigating patient sinus cavities during surgery. This is the first system of its kind installed in the state of Iowa.

“Sinus navigation is essentially a GPS system for surgeons. Patient anatomy can be very complex and every individual is different,” said Thomas Heineman, MD, surgeon in the Ear, Nose and Throat/Head and Neck Surgery clinic. “The new system allows us to identify the patient’s unique anatomy and pre-plan our route. Then, during surgery, we are able to overlay the preplanned images with the real-time endoscopic images. It gives us a much higher degree of accuracy to perform efficient and safe minimally-invasive surgeries.”

Individuals may need sinus surgery if they have chronic sinusitis that doesn’t respond to non-surgical treatment, severe sinus polyps, or an abnormality within the nose or sinuses that requires repair, such as a deviated septum. These procedures are challenging for surgeons due to the delicate internal structure of the sinuses. Additionally, surgeons must be very careful not to damage the thin layers of bone separating the other parts of the body, such as the eyes, palate and cranium.

“As leaders in our field, we are continually seeking new technology and new procedures to bring to the Cedar Rapids community,” Dr. Heineman continued. “Anything we can do to better visualize each procedure and make it less painful, faster and safer for our patients, makes sense.”

PCI’s Ear, Nose and Throat/Head and Neck Surgery clinic is led by highly-trained and experienced physicians who are board-certified otolaryngologists. They specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of disorders and diseases in both adults and children. The comprehensive clinic also includes allergy, audiology, speech pathology, vestibular therapy and a medical spa. For more information, visit PCI Ear, Nose & Throat >>