Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring With a Handheld Intraoperative Biphasic Stimulator: Evaluation of Use During the Latarjet Procedure

The Latarjet procedure is well known to be technically challenging, with an incidence of neurological complications ranging from 1.8% to 20.6%. Recently, intraoperative neuromonitoring has been used to define the stages of the Latarjet when the nerves are at the highest risk. Our objective is to present short-term neurological outcomes and technique of using a biphasic handheld nerve stimulator. We retrospectively evaluated the charts of all patients who had undergone a Latarjet procedure by the senior author once we began using the biphasic handheld intraoperative nerve stimulator. Data collection included age, sex, number of prior surgeries, body mass index, length of surgery, and anesthetic. Surgical technique was the same for all procedures. Neurological examinations were documented at first postoperative visit. In total, 37 patients underwent a Latarjet procedure between May 2012 and September 2014. Average age was 23, with 35 males and 2 females. No nerve deficits were detected during surgery, nor were any deficits clinically detectable in sensory or motor examinations at first postoperative visit. This technology may be very helpful and practical to utilize during this complex surgery.
Source: Techniques in Orthopaedics - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Special Technical Articles Source Type: research