LIMITED APPLICABILITY OF THE DATEX REIOXOGRAPH(TM) IN DIABETICS WITH PERIPHERAL POLYNEUROPATHY

The aim of the study was to investigate whether peripheral nerve dysfu nction can influence the applicability of the DATEX Relaxograph in dia betics. Sixty two patients (43 diabetics, 19 non-diabetics) undergoing ophthalmosurgical procedures under general anesthesia were tested. Th e distal motor latency (DML) of the ulnar nerve served as a graduation tool for peripheral nerve dysfunction. The patients were divided in t hree groups: non-diabetics (group 1), diabetics with DML < 3.8 msec (g roup 2), diabetics with DML > 3.8 msec (group 3). Relaxometry was perf ormed by stimulating the right ulnar nerve near the wrist, and the evo ked response (EMG) was obtained from the hypothenar muscle. Calibratio n of the device (i.e. supramaximal stimulation within the given curren t range of a maximum of 70 mA) was carried out successfully in most pa tients of group 1 and 2 (94.7% and 85.7% respectively). In contrast to that calibration could be carried out in only 40.9% of the patients o f group 3 (P<0.01 vs. group 1 and 2). Consequently in a high percentag e (59.1%) of the patients of group 3 relaxometry had to be performed i n an uncalibrated manner. The results substantiate the hypothesis that peripheral nerve dysfunction can restrict the applicability of the Re laxograph in diabetics.