Journal of Intraoperative Neurophysiology
Korean Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiological monitoring
Case Report

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring for inhalational anesthesia based on the minimum alveolar concentration level

Yangmi Park1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8765-9988, Ha-rin Yang1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7319-6890, Sung-Ho Jo1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7456-3218, Hyeong-Joong Yi2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2678-4902, Koang Hum Bak2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3424-0024, Chang-Nam Kang3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4633-3391, Dong Won Kim4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2492-3144, Seung Hyun Kim1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9644-9598, Juhan Kim1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1340-0535, Jinseok Park1,*https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6581-5831
1Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
2Department of Neurosurgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
4Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
*Corresponding author: Jinseok Park, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea, Tel: +82-2-2290-8368, Fax: +82-2-2296-8370, E-mail: jinseok.park0@gmail.com

© Copyright 2019 Korean Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring. This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Received: Jun 29, 2019 ; Revised: Aug 10, 2019 ; Accepted: Aug 25, 2019

Published Online: Sep 30, 2019

ABSTRACT

Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is regard as a gold standard for intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM). Meanwhile, TIVA could induce a substantial reduction of cerebral blood volume and affect to hemodynamic and cardiovascular parameters. Inhalational anesthetics have relatively smaller impact on patients than intravenous anesthesia. But it could affect IONM modality especially in motor evoked potentials (MEP). We experienced four cases with inhalational anesthesia in IONM. According to minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) level, the amplitude of MEP changed. In 1.0 MAC, the wave form of MEP were not recognizable. But when we maintained total MAC of 0.5, we could obtain reliable MEPs and SSEPs. Inhalational anesthetics could inhibit the pyramidal activation of spinal motor neurons and synaptic transmission in the cerebral cortex. Based on our experiences, in the case with unstable hemodynamic state or contraindication to intravenous anesthesia, inhalational anesthesia with MAC 0.5 could be an alternative option.

Keywords: anesthesia, inhalation; minimum alveolar concentration; intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring

Introduction

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is a method of real-time evaluation of the functional states of neuronal structures to prevent possible damage. During surgical interventions, the type of anesthetic affects the results of monitoring. In general, total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is the gold standard for IONM, because it allows plasma and target-site concentration to be calculated using an method based on age, gender, weight, and height of the patient [1]. However, TIVA is often costly, requires a infusion pump, and may not be rapidly titratable. Moreover, it may induce a respectable reduction in the cerebral blood volume [2], and affect the hemodynamic and cardiovascular parameters [3]. Inhalational anesthetics have a smaller impact on several parameters than do intravenous anesthetics. However, they increase the latency and reduce the amplitude [4]. Herein, we report four patients who underwent inhalational anesthesia because of cardiovascular disease, with IONM during the operation.

Cases

Four patients (2 men and 2 women; mean age, 69.25 years [range 63-76 years]) underwent inhalational anesthesia with intraoperative monitoring from March, 2016 to March, 2017 (Table 1). In one patient, intracranial surgery performed, and the other three patients underwent spinal surgeries. Because of underlying diseases or unstable hemodynamic conditions, all patients received inhalational anesthesia. Three patients were premedicated with propofol, and one patient with midazolam before induction of anesthesia. The induction drug was sevoflurane (3 cases) or desflurane (1 case). Among 4 cases, 2 cases got surgery with 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of inhalational anesthesia and other 2 with 1.0 MAC. To evaluate sufficiency of neuromuscular block, we did train of four (TOF) method. In abductor pollicis brevis mulscles, two of four responses to median nerve stimulation would be considered enough for motor evoked potentials (MEP) monitoring [5].

Table 1. Summary of the case characteristics
Case Sex Age (y) Weight (kg) Height (cm) Diagnosis Underlying condition Operation Anesthesia MAC Monitoring modalities Result mRS grade (pre/post)1)
1 F 65 71 160 Thrombosed A-com aneurysm HTN, VPCs, HBV carrier Craniotomy, aneurysm clipping Inhalational (sevoflurane) 0.5 SSEP MEP free-running EMG2) No definite changes during monitoring 0/0
2 F 76 46 154 Compressive myelopathy (T5-8), Paraspinal abscess (T7-8) ARDS, Pyogenic osteomyelitis with lung abscess Decompressive laminectomy (T7–8, 11–12) Evacuation of epidural abscess (T11–12) Inhalational (sevoflurane) 0.5 SSEP MEP free-running EMG2) No definite changes during monitoring (lower extremities; not checkable due to small amplitude of waveforms) 5/5
3 M 63 54 165 Thoracic ossified ligamentum flavum (T11–12) HTN, History of C-spine fusion Laminectomy and removal of ossified ligamentum flavum Inhalational (desflurane) 1.0 SSEP MEP free-running EMG2) SSEP; upper extremities; No definite changes during monitoring lower extremities; not checkable due to small amplitude of waveforms MEP; not checkable due to small amplitude of waveforms 4/4
4 M 73 60 165 Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (C4–6) HTN Spinal fusion (C4–6) Inhalational (sevoflurane) 0.5 → 1.0 SSEP MEP free-running EMG2) SSEP; No definite changes during monitoring MEP; not checkable due to small amplitude of waveforms 1/0

Pre/post, preoperative sate / postoperative state.

Free-running EMG showed no definite changes during monitoring in all cases.

MAC: minimum alveolar concentration; mRS: modified Rankin Scale; HTN: hypertension; VPCs: ventricular premature complexes; HBV: hepatitis B virus; ARDS: acute respiratory distress syndrome; MEP: motor evoked potentials.

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The somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and MEPs were recorded in the patients. For MEP monitoring, transcranial electrical motor constant-voltage stimulation was performed with a pair of subdermal electrodes placed at the C3/C4 positions, which were 5 cm from the Cz position. Myogenic MEPs recorded bilaterally in the upper and lower limb muscles (abductor pollicis brevis, abductor digiti minimi, tibialis anterior, and abductor halluces). Transcranial electrical stimulation was performed in 5 successive 400-V intensity applications with 0.5-1.0-ms duration and 2-ms inter-stimulation interval. The SSEP also performed during IONM. Subdermal electrodes for stimulation were placed on the median nerve of the wrist and posterior tibial nerve of the ankle bilaterally. Stimulation intensity was 20-30 mA with a duration of 200 ms. Recording electrodes were located at Fz, Cz, C3, and C4 according to the international 10-20 system. The averaged waveform was obtained with stimulation during surgery.

IONM was started after anesthesia and ended when all procedures were done. Before initiation of the surgical procedures(laminectomy or craniectomy), baseline MEP and SSEP waveforms were obtained. We compared these waveforms to the waveforms obtained afterward. Warning criteria for notification was defined as a decrease of more than 50% of MEP or SSEP amplitude compared to the baseline data. After all surgical procedures were done, we checked recovery of MEPs and SSEPs.

Using what we learned from these cases, we can expound our experiences using IONM with inhalational anesthesia according to the MAC level.

1. Case 1

A 65-year-old woman visited our hospital for dizziness, and we detected an asymptomatic unruptured aneurysm (3.6 × 1.8 mm) in the right anterior communicating artery. Surgical clipping was performed with IONM. Due to her underlying medical condition (hypertension) and frequent ventricular premature contractions (15 times/min), as detected on the electrocardiogram, we decided to use inhalational anesthesia with sevoflurane instead of TIVA. TOF monitoring was 2/4. Osteoplastic craniotomy and aneurysmal neck clipping were performed. MAC of sevoflurane was 0.5. SSEP and MEP were monitored during surgery. MEP transcranial electrical stimulation performed according to routine protocol. Myogenic MEP response were ranged from 31.8 to 657 µV. It was relatively small amplitude than myogenic MEP response with TIVA. But we could get reliable MEP wave form during surgery.

The aneurysm was clipped, and the amplitude of SSEPs and MEPs remained at to control level (Fig. 1-A). Microvascular Doppler ultrasonography recording, with a 1-mm tipped, 16-Hz Doppler probe, was also performed. Through microvascular Doppler ultrasonography, we obtained baseline local flow around the aneurysm. After aneurysm clipping, we ascertained the patency of the clipped vessel and identified no vasospasm or occlusion. Perioperative modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was not changed (pre-operative state: mRS0, post-operative state: mRS0).

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Fig. 1. Result of intraoperative motor evoked potentials (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) Monitoring. A case 1 (0.5 MAC) shows no abnormal change in duration and amplitude of MEP and SSEP during procedures. B. However, in case 4, there are poor wave formations of MEP and SSEP due to cortical depression.
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2. Case 4

A 74-year-old-man complained of paresthesia in both arms. A spine MRI showed stenosis of the cervical spinal cord (level C4 to C6). Because of his old age and unstable blood pressure preoperatively, cervical spinal fusion was performed under inhalational anesthesia using sevoflurane (TOF at 2/4). Because the depth of anesthesia was insufficient, MAC was raised from 0.5 to 1. We also followed routine protocol for SSEP and MEP stimulation. The amplitude of SSEP wave form was diminished but recognizable. However, there was no detectable myogenic response in the MEP with 1.0 MAC (Fig. 1-B).

Discussion

In the above-mentioned 4 cases, 3 received inhalational anesthesia with sevoflurane and 1 with desflurane for their surgeries. There was no worsening observed on the MRS after the operations. Compared to the cases with 0.5 MAC, the cases with 1.0 MAC showed incomplete IONM results. We could recognize MEPs and SSEPs changes during surgery with 0.5 MAC. When we maintain a total MAC of 0.5, we can monitor reliable MEPs and SSEPs (Table 1). Hence, it might be possible to monitor IONM under inhalational anesthesia with an MAC of 0.5.

Inhalational anesthetics inhibit the pyramidal activation of spinal motor neurons at the anterior grey column or depress the synaptic transmission in the cerebral cortex. Thus, they abolish MEPs more easily than SSEPs. At an MAC value of 1.0, MEP readings are unreliable [4]. Lo et al. reported 10 scoliosis cases which showed successful acquisition of MEPs under desflurane anesthesia with an MAC of 0.5 [6]. Chong et al. found that transcranial multi-pulse stimulus allows reproducible MEP monitoring up to an MAC of 0.7 with both desflurane and sevoflurane [7].

According to Husain, SSEPs were known to be resistant to inhalational anesthesia [8]. But in our case, the amplitude of SSEPs in case 3 and 4 were decreased. Even we could obtain reliable SSEP waveform during surgery, inhalational anesthetic agents also could affect SSEP monitoring.

When considering our data and previous research, it is important to modulate the concentration of inhalational anesthesia during IONM. In the case with an unstable hemodynamic state and contraindication to intravenous anesthesia(e.g. propofol infusion syndrome), inhalational anesthesia would be considered as the choice of anesthetic method. In these cases, inhalational anesthesia could be performed with an MAC of 0.5.

In this study, there are several limitations. First, mentioned above, inhalational anesthetic drugs suppress cortical activities and affect intraoperative monitoring waves [4]. Like one of our cases (case 2, Table 1), sometimes it would be difficult to recognize warning criteria due to small waveform. Also, IONM would be difficult at an MAC of 0.5 if the depth of anesthesia is insufficient. MAC of an inhaled anesthetic is the alveolar concentration that prevents movement in 50% of patients in response to a standardized stimulus like surgical incision [9]. It is random values determined by various factors (e.g. age, blood pressure, anemia, thyroid function, body temperature) and can be set according to clinical situations. In case 4, surgical procedure was started at MAC of 0.5 but MAC was raised to 1.0 because of insufficiency of anesthesia. This change could affect IONM and lead to suppression of monitoring modalities. In last, electroencephalogram (EEG) was not performed on an aneur ysm clipping case (Case 1). EEG would provide more informations about effects of inhalational anesthesia during brain surgery [10].

In conclusion, although it can be applied limited patients, we should alert to waveform changes and MAC value when using inhalational anesthesia in IONM.

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the medical laboratory technologist Ji Hoon Jang for his technical assistance.

Notes

Ethical approval

This article does not require IRB/IACUC approval because there are no human and animal participants.

Notes

Conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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