H wave and spinal root potentials in neuromonitoring of S1 root function during evacuation of herniated disc: preliminary results.

AIM

To determine the changes in the tibial H reflex and spinal nerve root potentials (SRPs) of the S1 root during posterior discectomy and the effects of surgical manipulation.

METHODS

Tibial H reflex responses (M and H waves) were intermittently recorded from the soleus muscle by surface electrodes during different stages of surgery in 5 patients with S1 radiculopathy. All patients had Achilles reflex preserved bilateraly and no paresis on manual strength testing preoperatively. SRPs were additionally obtained by direct epidural recordings from the surgically exposed S1 root in 2 of them.

RESULTS

The variations in the amplitude of H wave were minor and reversible upon the cessation of surgical manipulation of the root, but the H reflex was not lost either temporarily or permanently in any of the patients. Prolongation of H wave latency by up to 18% at the end of surgery in comparison with preoperative value was noticed in 4 patients. However, there was increased degree of desynchronization of the SRP in some phases of the spinal root manipulation, such as root mobilization before the disc incision and retraction during the disc evacuation. H waves and SRPs were continuously present during the surgery. Ankle jerks were preserved postoperatively in all 5 patients.

CONCLUSION

Unremarkable variations in H wave latency may be followed by increased SRP desynchronization. Monitoring of the epidurally recorded SRPs seems to be more sensitive to surgical manipulations of the spinal nerve root than the tibial H reflex recordings from the soleus muscle.