State-of-the-art of neuromonitoring for prevention of immediate and delayed paraplegia in thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta surgery

Background. The prevention of immediate and delayed paraplegia after thoracoabdominal aorta surgery relies on hemodynamic maneuvers (aimed at restoration of an adequate spinal cord perfusion pressure) and cytoprotective measures (hypothermia, drugs). Methods. The indications for implementing these measures can be provided by motor-evoked potential (MEP) or somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) monitoring. Results. Intraoperative interactions between the surgeon and the neurophysiologist can be described by algorithms to be applied in the presence or absence of intraoperative MEP or SEP changes. Conclusions. It should be noted that normal SEPs or MEPs at the end of surgery do not systematically guarantee the nonoccurrence of delayed paraplegia, especially when segmental arteries have been ligated, in which case postoperative SEP monitoring is indicated. (C) 2002 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.