Therapeutic Impact of Traction Release After C5 Nerve Root Motor Evoked Potential (MEP) Alerts in Cervical Spine Surgery

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical impact of interventions prompted by C5 spinal nerve root MEP alerts. Summary of Background Data: MEPs have been shown to diagnose acute C5 palsies, but additional data are needed regarding the clinical impact of interventions in response to C5 MEP alerts. Materials and Methods: Procedures with isolated C5 MEP alerts were categorized as fully resolved, partially resolved, or unresolved based on the status of signals at closure. Clinical outcomes were based on neurological assessment in the immediate postoperative period. The sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and odds ratios (ORs) of C5 MEP alerts for acute C5 palsies were calculated. Results: The odds of an acute C5 palsy greatly increased if there was a C5 MEP alert [OR=340.9; 95% confidence (CI): 173.0, 671.6; P
Source: Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques - Category: Surgery Tags: PRIMARY RESEARCH Source Type: research