Objective To investigate the effects of tetanic stimulation of peripheral nerve on intracranial direct electrical stimulation motor-evoked potentials (MEP) in patients undergoing cerebral functional area operation. Methods Eight patients undergoing elective brain tumor resection under propofol-fentanyl anesthesia with partial neuromuscular blockade were enrolled in the study. Both conventional MEP (C-MEP) monitoring and posttetanic MEP (P-MEP) monitoring were performed throughout the operation for each patient, and the two groups of data were recorded. For one group, direct electrical stimulation with a train of five pulses was delivered to motor cortex and pyramidal tract, C-MEP was unilaterally recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis, and P-MEP was obtained 1 s after tetanic stimulation (frequency 50 Hz, intensity 50 mA, duration 5 s) to the ipsilateral tibial nerve.For the other group, direct electrical stimulation with a train of five pulses was delivered to motor cortex and pyramidal tract, C-MEP was unilaterally recorded from the tibialis anterior, and P-MEP was obtained 1 s after tetanic stimulation (frequency 50 Hz, intensity 50 mA and duration 5 s) to the contralateral tibial nerve. Randomized crossover method was used for C-MEP and P-MEP recording in each group, with an interval of 120 s. The adverse effects were observed. Results Amplitudes of P-MEP from the abductor pollicis brevis and tibialis anterior were significantly higher than those of C-MEP. Three patients had body movement during intraoperative cortex stimulation, while there was no awareness during operation and other electrical stimulation-related nervous system impairment and complications. Conclusion The application of tetanic stimulation of peripheral nerve before direct electrical stimulation can augnent the amplitudes of MEP from the abductor pollicis brevis and tibialis anterior in patients undergoing cerebral functional area operation.

Objective·To investigate the safety and feasibility of early goal-directed mobilization in the recovery of gastrointestinal function after pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods·The non-contemporaneous controlled studies were conducted.Subjects who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy were included.From Sep 2022 to May 2023,forty patients were selected as the control group,and forty patients were selected from June 2023 to February 2024 as the experimental group.The general clinical data of the two groups were collected.The control group was treated with the nursing routine after pancreaticoduodenectomy,and there were no specific requirements for the time and goal of early activity.The experimental group had daily activity goals established for early mobilization,which were performed by the patients and their families,while the rest of their care was identical to that of the control group.The main index of effectiveness evaluation was the time of first flatus and first defecation,and the secondary indexes included the time of first getting out of bed,the time of oral drinking,the time of the gastric tube removal,and the postoperative levels of K+,Na+,and Cl-on the 3rd day of the postoperative period.Safety evaluations included chyle leak,postoperative pancreatic fistula,biliary leak and delayed gastric emptying,postoperative hemorrhage,unplanned reoperation,unplanned extubation,falls and death.Results·There was no statistically significant difference in the general clinical data of the patients in the 2 groups.After the implementation of early goal-directed mobilization,the time of first flatus was advanced from(3.95±1.68)d to(2.88±0.91)d(t=-3.560,P=0.001),and the time of first defecation was advanced from(4.90±1.61)d to(3.80±1.30)d(t=-3.352,P=0.001).The time of first getting out of bed was advanced from(5.18±1.77)d to(2.30±0.88)d(t=-9.205,P＜0.001),and the time of oral drinking was advanced from(4.10±1.89)d to(2.73±1.20)d(t=-3.883,P＜0.001).Significant differences were also observed in postoperative day 3 Na+(t=-2.745,P=0.008)and Cl-(t=-2.033,P=0.045)levels.Conclusion·Early goal-directed activity programs are safe and effective in promoting the recovery of gastrointestinal function after pancreaticoduodenectomy.