Impact of anesthesia on transcranial electric motor evoked potential monitoring during spine surgery: a review of the literature.

Full Abstract

OBJECT: Transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) monitoring is frequently used in complex spinal surgeries to prevent neurological injury. Anesthesia, however, can significantly affect the reliability of TcMEP monitoring. Understanding the impact of various anesthetic agents on neurophysiological monitoring is therefore essential. METHODS: A literature search of the National Library of Medicine database was conducted to identify articles pertaining to anesthesia and TcMEP monitoring during spine surgery. Twenty studies were selected and reviewed. RESULTS: Inhalational anesthetics and neuromuscular blockade have been shown to limit the ability of TcMEP monitoring to detect significant changes. Hypothermia can also negatively affect monitoring. Opioids, however, have little influence on TcMEPs. Total intravenous anesthesia regimens can minimize the need for inhalational anesthetics. CONCLUSIONS: In general, selecting the appropriate anesthetic regimen with maintenance of a stable concentration of inhalational or intravenous anesthetics optimizes TcMEP monitoring.

Author information

Author/s: Wang, Anthony C (AC); Than, Khoi D (KD); Etame, Arnold B (AB); La Marca, Frank (F); Park, Paul (P);

Affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5338, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Neurosurgical focus (Neurosurg Focus), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 27 (issue 4) : pp E7

Dates: Created 2009/10/02; Completed 2009/10/20;

PMID: 19795956, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/20/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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