RELIABILITY OF DISPOSABLE INTRAOPERATIVE FACIAL-NERVE STIMULATORS

Facial nerve injury is one major morbidity of surgery performed along the course of this nerve. Surgeons frequently employ stimulators to id entify and protect the nerve, Both disposable devices as well as large r reusable stimulators are available. Despite their common use, relati vely little documentation exists regarding the safety and reliability of these devices. me tested the electrical output of the four disposab le, single-use motor nerve stimulators that are marketed in the United States. We found that each produced consistent stimulus output over t ime. One stimulator slightly exceeded the manufacturer's listed output while three devices produced significantly less voltage and current t han specified by the manufacturer.