The invention relates to a method for controlling a surgical navigation system, wherein a detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user is associated with a surgical navigation system, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and user gestures are used as said control inputs, and wherein a gesture or a initiating user gesture defines a virtual volume (88) surrounding the initiating gestures limits, and wherein further predetermined gestures made in the virtual volume are recognized as a control input. The invention also relates to a control system for a surgical navigation system, wherein the navigation system is associated with a detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user, wherein the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, wherein the detection unit comprises a gesture detection system for detecting user gestures, wherein the detection unit comprises:- a camera system for visible light, in particular a video camera system or- a camera system for the invisible light spectrum, in particular an infrared camera system or- a tracking system such as a time-of-flight camera, a laser scanner, a heat tracking system or heat camera system or a magnetic or electromagnetic tracking systemor any combination of these, wherein a gesture or a initiating user gesture defines a virtual volume (88) surrounding the initiating gestures limits, and wherein further predetermined gestures made in the virtual volume are recognized as a control input.
