[The influence of spine distraction on cat spinal cord blood flow and evoked potentials]

The changes of spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) and spinal cord evoked potential (SCEP) due to spine distraction were analyzed in 30 cats. Spine distraction was performed at L1/2 level at which spinal bodies were separated surgically. SCBF was measured by means of a microsphere technique before, during and after spine distraction and SCEP elicited by spinal cord electrical stimulation was recorded simultaneously. With slight spine distraction (SCEP amplitude 80-100%), SCBF was increased significantly over normal value. SCBF was decreased significantly by further distraction (SCEP 50-80%), but was recovered over normal value after the release of distraction. When severe distraction (SCEP less than 50%) was applied, decreased SCBF around L1 level was irreversible. These results suggested that the disorder of SCBF regulating system due to spine distraction could be expected by analyzing changes of the SCEP.