NEUROMONITORING IN PRACTICE - IS ANESTHES IA MANAGEMENT IMPROVED BY EEC MONITORING - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF A MULTICENTER STUDY

Despite comprehensive information about the representation of anaesthe tic-induced phenomena in the EEG, electroencephalographic monitoring o f the depth of anaesthesia has not yet become parr of clinical routine practice. To date, only a few studies have been carried out to invest igate the question as to the value of computerized EEG for routine ope rations under realistic clinical conditions. Within the framework of a multicentre study, the usefulness of the EEG in combination with haem odynamic parameters for providing indirect signs of sympatho-adrenergi c stimulation during routine inhalation and balanced anaesthesia with isoflurane or fentanyl was investigated, Our results show that, with t he aid of EEG monitoring, stages during anaesthesia that are either to o deep or too light, can be mole rapidly identified and more quickly c orrected than is the case with conventional methods. The shorter durat ion of critical, so-called non-ideal, situations, may be taken as evid ence that the EEG can, in these situations, contribute towards ensurin g a properly adapted intervention. Thus, the EEG, used in combination with haemodynamic parameters, can, without delay, make available infor mation that facilitates the ''fine-tuning'' of the depth of anaesthesi a.