Motor evoked potentials for femoral nerve protection in transpsoas lateral access surgery of the spine.

Detecting potential intraoperative injuries to the femoral nerve should be the main goal of neuromonitoring of lateral lumber interbody fusion (LLIF) procedures. We propose a theory and technique to utilize motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to protect the femoral nerve (a peripheral nerve), which is at risk in LLIF procedures. MEPs have been advocated and widely used for monitoring spinal cord function during surgical correction of spinal deformity and surgery of the cervical and thoracic spine, but have had limited acceptance for use in lumbar procedures.

A novel lateral lumbar integrated plate-spacer interbody implant: in vitro biomechanical analysis.

Background Context: Lateral spacers (LSs) are the standard of care for a lateral lumbar interbody fusion. However, various types of fixation, such as bilateral pedicle screws (BPSs), unilateral pedicle screws (UPSs), bilateral facet screws (BFSs), and lateral plates (LPs) have been reported to increase the stability of LSs. The biomechanics of a novel lateral interbody implant, which is an interbody spacer with an integrated plate and two bone screws (lateral integrated plate-spacer [IPS-L]), has not been investigated yet.

Saphenous nerve somatosensory evoked potentials: a novel technique to monitor the femoral nerve during transpsoas lumbar lateral interbody fusion.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of a case series was performed.

Objective: To describe a novel technique to monitor femoral nerve function by analyzing the saphenous nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) during transpsoas surgical exposures of the lumbar spine.

Summary Of Background Data: During transpsoas direct lateral approaches to the lumbar spine, electromyography monitoring is frequently advocated; however, sensory and motor neurological complications are still being reported.

Postoperative spinal wound infections and postprocedural diskitis.

Background/objective: Postprocedural infections are a significant cause of morbidity after spinal interventions.

Methods: Literature review. An extensive literature review was conducted on postprocedural spinal infections.

Methemoglobinemia after fiberoptic intubation in a patient with an unstable cervical fracture: a case report.

Methemoglobinemia, a condition associated with cyanosis and diminished pulse oximetry values, has been reported after use of local anesthetics to facilitate fiberoptic intubation. The majority of reports in the literature detail this development during diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy and bronchoscopy. A case of methemoglobinemia in a multiple-injury patient with an unstable compressive-flexion injury of the cervical spine undergoing fiberoptic intubation is presented.