New development in intraoperative video monitoring of facial nerve: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

The present study proposes an evolution of an intraoperative video-based facial nerve monitoring system for otologic and otoneurosurgical procedures in comparison with classical electromyographic (EMG) monitoring method.

STUDY

DESIGN

Single-subject design study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center, university clinic.

PATIENTS: Fifteen patients undergoing a translabyrinthine approach for removal of 2 cm or less acoustic neuroma.

INTERVENTION: Intraoperative monitoring during acoustic neuroma removal.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurement of mouth angle displacement and EMG peak amplitude at different stimulation intensities were measured and compared to evaluate the validity and reliability of the proposed new system.

RESULTS

The electrophysiologic method has been shown to be slightly more sensitive, although it shows limitations especially in terms of electrical artifacts during cauterization, totally masking the EMG monitoring.

CONCLUSION

The present version of video system can be considered as valid and reliable as EMG; its main advantages are the absence of electrical artifacts, less invasivity, and much less cost.