[Motor evoked potentials]

Motor dysfunction following spinal surgery and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery remain as one of their devastating complications. Since the development of postoperative motor dysfunction can deteriorate quality of life of patients, the prevention of such complications is an important clinical challenge. Recently, advances in stimulation technique using multipulse made intraoperative monitoring of functional integrity of motor pathways possible by recording myogenic motor evoked potentials (MEPs). However, myogenic MEPs can be affected by most of anesthetic agents and muscle relaxants. Anesthesiologists are therefore required to properly understand MEPs and to manage anesthesia carefully. We summarize the methods for monitoring of myogenic MEPs and anesthetic techniques during intraoperative MEP monitoring.