INTRAOPERATIVE USE OF SOMATOSENSORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS FOR BRAIN MONITORING DURING CAROTID SURGERY

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) are a valuable clinical tool in the operating theater. Multichannel SSEP monitoring is an objective m easure of CBF and cerebral function. The monitoring of the SSEP during carotid surgery is a simple and reliable method of determining the ef fect of carotid clamping on CBF and the need for shunting. The diagnos is sensitivity and specificity of intraoperative SSEP monitoring for a ssessing the neurologic outcome of patients are over 95%. At least 16. 1% of cases required shunt placement using SSEP monitoring.