The invention 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, and wherein the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs and the detection unit comprises a gesture detection for detecting user gestures. The invention also 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 the surgical navigation system, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and user gestures are used as said control inputs.