The goal of intraoperative guidance is to implement surgically a preoperative computer generated plan.
The value is determined by several factors. For example, (1) whether the plan is executed as planned and improves the clinical outcome of patients; and (2) how much time and cost are added to the procedure due to navigation.
In many studies, navigation is evaluated by evaluating how closely the actual position of the baseplate matches the preoperative plan. The majority of studies do not assess whether the clinical outcome is improved by executing the preoperative plans.
For example The Value of Computer-Assisted Navigation for Glenoid Baseplate Implantation in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis found that a common goal of preoperative planing is to change preoperative retroversion to a postoperative value of 0 degrees.
To determine whether this is, in fact, a goal that is likely to lead to better outcomes for the patient we can look to Baseplate retroversion does not affect postoperative outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty, a study in which the authors sought to preserve glenoid bone stock without aiming for a…
