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XLIF and neural monitoring with a finger electrode prevented neurological complications
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According to recently published data, neurological complications due to extreme lateral interbody fusion may be prevented with the use of a neural monitoring system that utilizes a finger electrode.
Researchers identified 36 patients who underwent extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) with a neural monitoring system using a finger electrode and 18 patients who underwent XLIF without a finger electrode. Investigators calculated the psoas position value (PP%) after they obtained preoperative MRIs from the mid-height of the disc at the level treated. The two groups were compared with regard to baseline clinical characteristics, demographics, PP% values, clinical outcomes and neurological complications.
Results showed patients who underwent XLIF with a finger electrode and patients who underwent treatment with a finger electrode had mean PP% values of 20.1% and 17.5%, respectively. Investigators noted six patients who underwent XLIF with a finger electrode had an increasing psoas sign with a 50% or higher PP% value. The mean threshold value prior to dissection in patients who underwent treatment with the finger electrode significantly increased from 13.1 mA to 19 mA following the dissection.
Threshold and PP% prior to the dissection were negatively associated; however, after the dissection, no association was seen between the threshold and PP%. All patients had a threshold greater than or equal to 11 mA after dissection. The rate of neurological complications was significantly lower for patients who underwent treatment with the finger electrode vs. those who underwent treatment without the finger electrode. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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