The nerve card

© piqs.de/phileos

An innovation from Vienna can prevent any unpleasant side-effects from operations.

During tumour operations in what is known as the pelvis minor there is a chance that nerves may suffer damage. This can have unpleasant consequences for patients, such as anal and urinary incontinence, as well as disturbances to normal sexual functions. A device developed at the Medical University in Vienna could help to prevent this as it creates a map of the nervous system prior to surgery.
Bela Teleky, who are intestinal surgery experts and members of the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC): “It is an instrument which measures the function of the nerves before, during and after the operation. Initial testing shows promising results. Initially the instrument will be used for tumours in the rectal zones.”

Exact Planning
With what is known as the neuro-mapping facility it becomes possible to check whether there are any disturbances of the nerve functions. It makes it possible to make more detailed plans for the operation. During the operation, the instrument is able to monitor the nerves, which reduces consequential damage.
The supervision of the nerve system is by way of narrow probes similar to acupuncture needles, which can stimulate the nerves or measure the muscle contractions from the bladder to the sphincter muscles. A graph on a monitor makes the nerves visible and acoustic signals demonstrate their stimulation and reactions.