Evoked potential as an adjuvant predictive tool for neurological deficit in acetabular and pelvic ring injuries: A meta-analysis

Objectives: To identify the value of the evoked potential as an adjuvant predictive tool in pelvic ring and acetabulum fractures focusing on the neurological deficit. Material and methods: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review with a priori design to identify randomized controlled trials, retrospective and prospective cohort studies, and casecontrol studies of interventions in acetabular and pelvic ring injuries. The search strategy included the use of Title/Abstract related to: (somatosensory or evoked potential orelectrophysiology) and(randomized controlled trials or clinical studies or controlled clinical trial or systematic literature review ormeta-analysis orreview oroverview) and(complications). From01/1985to12/2019, we searched MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, reference lists and journals. The PRISMA checklist was adopted to evaluate reporting quality. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess the probability of evoked potential tests performed on random samples, with the assumption of normal distribution of the populations from which they were derived and knowledge of the parametric variance. Results: Five articles fulfilled eligibility criteria. Conclusion: Evoked potential tests can quickly and accurately detect imminent neurological impairment during surgery of acetabular and pelvic ring injuries. This results in significantly better surgical outcomes, although in some cases the irreversible nature of the injury cannot be prevented. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

Through a systematic review analysis, evoked potential tests can quickly and accurately detect imminent neurological impairment during surgery for acetabular and pelvic ring injuries, leading to improved surgical outcomes in some cases, although irreversible damage may still be unavoidable.