Optical surgical navigation system causes pulse oximeter malfunction

JA Clin Rep. 2015;1(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s40981-015-0007-4. Epub 2015 Aug 27.

Abstract

An optical surgical navigation system is used as a navigator to facilitate surgical approaches, and pulse oximeters provide valuable information for anesthetic management. However, saw-tooth waves on the monitor of a pulse oximeter and the inability of the pulse oximeter to accurately record the saturation of a percutaneous artery were observed when a surgeon started an optical navigation system. The current case is thought to be the first report of this navigation system interfering with pulse oximetry. The causes of pulse jamming and how to manage an optical navigation system are discussed.

Keywords: Anesthetic management; Laser; Neuronavigator; Saw-tooth waves; Tracking technology.