The Impact of Operator Experience on the Accuracy of Neuronavigation Systems

Abstract Neuronavigation systems have become an essential tool for accurate surgical guidance. However, the influence of operator experience on the accuracy of these systems is still debated. This study aims to investigate the accuracy and precision of neuronavigation in an environment mimicking the conditions found in a surgical room and the impact of operator experience. We conducted a series of experiments using a neuronavigation system with operators of varying levels of experience. The accuracy of the system was measured and compared across 3 different operators. Inexperienced operators exhibited significantly lower levels of accuracy compared with their more experienced counterparts. The measured accuracy for an experienced operator was 2.9 ± 1.2mm, with an overall mean of 3.5 ± 1.7 mm when including results from inexperienced individuals. The best scenario appears to be when the point of interest is in the right temporal region, closer to the stereo vision camera of the tracking system. Our results demonstrate different accuracies in the neuronavigation system between operators with varying levels of experience. However, individuals without prior experience or training exhibit an acceptable level of accuracy for its use in surgical applications.