0000000000048580
AUTHOR
K. P. Koch
Intraoperative neural electrode for continuous monitoring of nerve function
Nerve damage is still a major concern in all types of surgery and may result in permanent nerve injury. Real time nerve monitoring can reduce the risk of nerve lesions by continuous surveillance of nerve integrity. A stable proximal stimulation of the nerve and recording at the effector organ is essential and the electrodes should not significantly influence the surgical intervention.
Selective pelvic autonomic nerve stimulation with simultaneous intraoperative monitoring of internal anal sphincter and bladder innervation.
<i>Background:</i> Pelvic autonomic nerve preservation avoids postoperative functional disturbances. The aim of this feasibility study was to develop a neuromonitoring system with simultaneous intraoperative verification of internal anal sphincter (IAS) activity and intravesical pressure. <i>Methods:</i> 14 pigs underwent low anterior rectal resection. During intermittent bipolar electric stimulation of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) and the pelvic splanchnic nerves (PSN), electromyographic signals of the IAS and manometry of the urinary bladder were observed simultaneously. <i>Results:</i> Stimulation of IHP and PSN as well as simultaneous intraop…
Online signal processing of internal anal sphincter activity during pelvic autonomic nerve stimulation: a new method to improve the reliability of intra-operative neuromonitoring signals
Aim Intra-operative neuromonitoring is increasingly applied in several surgical disciplines and has been introduced to facilitate pelvic autonomic nerve preservation. Nevertheless, it has been considered a questionable tool for the minimization of risk, as the results are variable and might be misleading. The aim of the present experimental study was to develop an intra-operative neuromonitoring system with improved reliability for monitoring pelvic autonomic nerve function. Method Fifteen pigs underwent low anterior rectal resection with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation. Intra-operative neuromonitoring was performed under autonomic nerve stimulation with observation of electromyograph…
Total mesorectal excision with intraoperative assessment of internal anal sphincter innervation provides new insights into neurogenic incontinence
Background: The aim of this prospective study was to assess internal anal sphincter (IAS) innervation in patients undergoing total mesorectal excision (TME) by intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). Study Design: Fourteen patients underwent TME. IONM was carried out through pelvic splanchnic nerve stimulation under continuous electromyography of the IAS. Anorectal function was assessed with the digital rectal examination scoring system and a standardized questionnaire. Results: Nine of 11 patients who underwent low anterior resection had positive IONM results, with stimulation-induced increased IAS electromyographic amplitudes (median 0.23 V (interquartile range [IQR] 0.05, 0.56) vs median …