3-d guided endoscopic surgery of paranasal sinuses.

The endoscopic approach to surgery of paranasal sinuses has become the state-of-the-art treatment of chronic sinusitis. A significant disadvantage of the common endoscope is its monocular (two-dimensional) view, as the depth of the sinus system must then be estimated primarily on operating experience and continuous training. A stereoendoscope, on the other hand, has significant advantages. A stereoendoscope can produce a three-dimensional image and thereby emulate the physiological process of vision. The surgeon, therefore, need no longer rely on operating experience to determine the depth of various structures.