Risk of sciatic nerve traction injury during hip arthroscopy—is it the amount or duration? An intraoperative nerve monitoring study.

Background: Using intraoperative nerve monitoring we prospectively studied the prevalence, pattern, and predisposing factors for sciatic nerve traction injury during hip arthroscopy.

Methods: The transcranial motor (tcMEP) and/or somatosensory (SSEP) evoked potentials of seventy-six patients undergoing hip arthroscopy in the lateral position were recorded. Changes in the posterior tibial and common peroneal nerves were evaluated to assess the effects of the amount and duration of traction on nerve function.

Intraoperative monitoring of facial and cochlear nerves during acoustic neuroma surgery. 1992.

Preservation of facial nerve function during acoustic neuroma surgery can be improved significantly by monitoring of facial electromyography (EMG) during surgery. Mechanical trauma during dissection causes EMG activity that can be played over a loudspeaker for direct feedback to the surgeon. Electrical stimulation can be used to locate the nerve even when it is out of direct view, and the threshold for stimulation provides a measure of facial (or other motor nerve) integrity.