J Reconstr Microsurg 2006; 22(7): 525-532
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-951318
REVIEW

Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Motor Evoked Potentials Enable Differentiation between Motor and Sensory Branches of Peripheral Nerves in Animal Experiments

Edvin Turkof1 , Nikita Jurasch2 , Erik Knolle3 , Ilse Schwendenwein4 , Danja Habib1 , Ewald Unger5 , Martin Reichel5 , Udo Losert6
  • 1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Surgical University Clinic of Vienna, Austria
  • 2Institute of Anatomy Department III, University of Vienna, Austria
  • 3Clinic for Anesthesiology II, University of Vienna, Austria
  • 4University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
  • 5Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, University of Vienna, Austria
  • 6Center for Biomedical Research, Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted: May 17, 2006

Publication Date:
17 October 2006 (online)

Preview

ABSTRACT

Differentiation between motor and sensory fascicles is frequently necessary in reconstructive peripheral nerve surgery. The goal of this experimental study was to verify if centrally motor evoked potentials (MEP) could be implemented to differentiate sensory from motor fascicles, despite the well-known intermingling between nerve fascicles along their course to their distant periphery. This new procedure would enable surgeons to use MEP for placing nerve grafts at corresponding fascicles in the proximal and distal stumps without the need to use time-consuming staining. In ten sheep, both ulnar nerves were exposed at the terminal bifurcation between the last sensory and motor branch. Animals were then relaxed to avoid volume conduction. On central stimulation, the evoked nerve compound action potentials were simultaneously recorded from both terminal branches. In all cases, neurogenic motor nerve action potentials were recorded only from the terminal motor branch. The conclusion was that MEPs can be used for intraoperative differentiation between sensory and motor nerves. Further studies are necessary to develop this method for in situ measurements on intact nerve trunks.

REFERENCES

Edvin TurkofM.D. 

Abteilung für Wiederherstellende und Plastische Chirurgie, Allgemeines Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien

Währingergürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria