Neuropathologic changes following direct-current stimulation of the rat sciatic nerve.

Peripheral nerve stimulators can be of value in surgical dissections. Recent investigations have questioned the safety of direct-current nerve stimulators, while verifying the safety of pulsed-current nerve stimulators. However, the studies failed to adequately simulate the routine clinical setting in which a nerve stimulator was used. Therefore, an experiment was designed to approximate as closely as possible--given the limitations of the animal model--the use of a direct-current peripheral nerve stimulator in a surgical dissection. The results of this study did not show a difference between experimental and control groups. We conclude that direct-current nerve stimulation is safe when used judiciously and appropriately.