Computer-assisted surgical navigation opens new horizons in veterinary surgery.
Authors
Affiliations (6)
Affiliations (6)
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- ¶Contributed equally to this work.
- Division of Equine Surgery, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
- Clinique Vetelys, Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract
Computer-assisted surgical navigation (CASN), encompassing preoperative imaging, real-time instrument tracking, and spatial registration, is an established standard of care in human orthopedic, spinal, oral and maxillofacial, and neurosurgical procedures. Although CT and MRI are now widely available at veterinary referral centers, CASN has only recently begun to gain traction in veterinary surgery. This narrative review synthesizes the current evidence on CASN across veterinary species, surgical disciplines, and study designs, identifying consistent benefits in implant placement accuracy, minimally invasive access to complex anatomical targets, and reduced reliance on fluoroscopy. The predominance of cadaveric and ex vivo studies reflects the early translational stage of this technology, yet the accuracy outcomes are favorable and broadly comparable to those reported in human surgical literature. Barriers to wider clinical adoption include the high cost of intraoperative imaging platforms, the paucity of veterinary-specific system configurations, limited standardized training, and a learning curve that discourages uptake among experienced surgeons. Emerging developments in augmented reality, AI-assisted registration, and robotic guidance are likely to accelerate the maturation and accessibility of CASN in veterinary practice. As these platforms evolve, CASN holds strong potential to improve surgical reproducibility, reduce radiation exposure, and strengthen the translational bridge between veterinary and human surgical innovation.