Intraoperative neuromonitoring during surgery for lumbar stenosis


doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-819826-1.00005-3.

Affiliations

Item in Clipboard

Stanley Skinner et al.


Handb Clin Neurol.


2022.

Abstract

The indications for neuromonitoring during lumbar stenosis surgery are defined by the risks associated with patient positioning, the approach, decompression of neural elements, deformity correction, and instrument implantation. The routine use of EMG and SEP alone during lumbar stenosis surgery is no longer supported by the literature. Lateral approach neuromonitoring with EMG only is also suspect. Lumbar stenosis patients often present with multiple co-morbidities which put them at risk during routine pre-surgical positioning. Frequently encountered morbid obesity and/or diabetes mellitus may play a role in monitorable and preventable brachial plexopathy after “superman” positioning or femoral neuropathy from groin pressure after prone positioning, for example. Deformity correction in lumbar stenosis surgery often demands advanced implementation of multiple neuromonitoring modalities: EMG, SEP, and MEP. Because the bulbocavernosus reflex detects the function of the conus medullaris and sacral somato afferent/efferent fibers of the cauda equina, it may also be recorded. The recommendation to record pedicle screw thresholds has become more nuanced as surgeon dependence on 3D imaging, navigation, and robotics has increased. Neuromonitoring in lumbar stenosis surgery has been subject mainly to uncontrolled case series; prospective cohort trials are also needed.


Keywords:

Electromyography in spine surgery; Evidence-based medicine; Intraoperative neurophysiology; Lateral lumbar interbody fusion complications; Lumbar spine pathoanatomy; Lumbar spine surgery; Pedicle screw threshold testing; Robotics in spine surgery; Transcranial electric motor evoked potential.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on vk
VK
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Close Menu