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Somatosensory evoked potential monitoring for position-related brachial plexus injury during cerebellopontine angle tumor resection: A retrospective cohort study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the utility of intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential monitoring for detecting position-related brachial plexus injury during cerebellopontine angle tumor resection, identify independent risk factors, and assess the effectiveness of somatosensory evoked potential–guided interventions. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 45 patients who underwent cerebellopontine angle microsurgery in the lateral or semilateral position. Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials were continuously monitored. Patients were stratified according to somatosensory evoked potential changes. Clinical characteristics, surgical variables, and protective positioning measures were compared. Cox regression was performed to identify independent risk factors. Results Somatosensory evoked potential alterations occurred in 14 patients (31.1%). Following repositioning, 13 patients recovered intraoperatively; 9 patients returned to baseline within 46–110 min (mean, 64 ± 20.5 min) and 4 patients within 2 h. Changes in latency and threshold across time points were statistically significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001, respectively). One patient without somatosensory evoked potential recovery developed mild, transient symptoms that resolved within 5 weeks. Independent risk factors included age ≥60 years (hazard ration = 2.78), body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 (hazard ration = 3.02), operative time ≥5 h (hazard ration = 3.65), intraoperative temperature <36.5°C (hazard ration = 2.31), and absence of protective positioning (hazard ration = 3.87) (all p < 0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that routine somatosensory evoked potential monitoring during lateral decubitus cerebellopontine angle tumor resection may help mitigate brachial plexus injury and improve surgical safety.

Source: Journal of International Medical Research

DOI: 10.1177/03000605261436656

Authors: Xian Jiang, Yanyi Yin, Xiaomin Hou, Jun Liu, Peng Li

Institutions: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Nanchang University

Language: English

Topic: Intraoperative Neuromonitoring and Anesthetic Effects

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,155