Intraoperative monitoring of nerve repairs.

Abstract

These examples illustrate the interplay of the electrophysiologic techniques of SEP, EMG, NCAPs, and nerve conduction studies to achieve the goals of monitoring, guiding, identifying and localizing, and assessing nerve function. Through their successful application, intraoperative neurophysiology moves from solely monitoring to serving as an electrophysiologic aid to the surgeon. Using all of these techniques provides a comprehensive analysis of nerve function. The overall goal is both to prevent intraoperative neural compromise and to optimize postoperative outcome by providing the surgeon with the best possible information regarding the functional condition of the nerves under investigation.