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.