Comparison of Endotrachial Tube and Hookwire Electrodes for Monitoring the Vagus Nerve

Monitoring the vagus nerve and the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgical procedures may reduce the probability of significant nerve injury. As such, a number of methods to monitor these nerves have been devised including placing electrodes directly into the vocal cords or recording from surface electrodes. In direct comparison, monitoring the identical muscles, bipolar hookwire electrodes displayed approximately one order of magnitude greater amplitude, of both spontaneously occurring and evoked electrical activity than double wire endotracheal tube electrodes. The enhanced sensitivity of the hookwire electrodes, despite the technical difficulties with placement, suggests their use when maximum sensitivity is required.