Neurophysiologic detection of a unilateral motor deficit occurring during the noncritical phase of scoliosis surgery.

Abstract

A four-path neurophysiologic monitoring system was designed for spinal cord monitoring during spinal surgery. It was used mainly during scoliosis surgery. To evaluate the efficacy of this technique. Sensory and motor pathways were continuously monitored bilaterally from skin incision to awakening, with independent evaluation of the right and left pathways for each modality. This monitoring technique detected a transient unilateral motor deficit that occurred during the dissection phase of spinal surgery for scoliosis before any instrumentation or mobilization of the spine.