[Basic statements to standardize electrodiagnostical investigations in obstetrics (author's transl)]

The use of electrodiagnostical investigations became more and more accepted in obstetrics within the last decade; namely rheobase measurements as a means of recognising a threatening premature labour and of checking the effectiveness of tocolytic treatment, and further as an indication of a change in the neurovegetative excitability immediately before delivery. Not only the excitability of the uterine musculature increases before onset of labour but also at the same time, the excitability of the striated skeletal musculature is raised. In obstetrics the electrical excitability usually is tested on the left musculus tibialis anterior but there is a difference in applying the electrodes (unipolar and bipolar technique). Both techniques and the basis of Electrodiagnosis are reviewed in this paper. The advantages and standardisation of the bipolar technique shall be shown.