Interoperative monitoring of intramuscular pressure during retraction
A method of performing a surgical procedure at an anatomical location in a patient is disclosed. An incision is made in the patient to provide access to an anatomical element. A pressure measurement device may then be inserted into a predetermined area of tissue surrounding the anatomical element. Tissue surrounding the anatomical element may then be retracted with a retractor to expose the anatomical element. A pressure reading from the pressure measurement device may then be obtained that is indicative of an amount of pressure experienced by the predetermined area of tissue as a result of the retraction.
1 . A method of performing a surgical procedure at an anatomical location in a patient, comprising the steps of:
a) making an incision in said patient to provide access to an anatomical element;
b) inserting a pressure measurement device into a predetermined area of tissue surrounding said anatomical element;
c) retracting tissue surrounding said anatomical element with a retractor to expose said anatomical element; and
d) obtaining a pressure reading from said pressure measurement device indicative of an amount of pressure experienced by said predetermined area of tissue as a result of said retraction.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of communicating to a surgeon performing said retraction any abnormal pressure readings from step (d).
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of adjusting said retraction of said tissue in response to any abnormal pressure reading.
4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of shortening a length of time said tissue is retracted in response to any abnormal pressure reading.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of recording said pressure reading throughout said surgical procedure.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said recording is stored in a database associated with said patient.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said pressure measurement device may be selected from a group of pressure measurement devices consisting of a needle, a catheter, and a pressure transducer catheter.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of connecting an output of said pressure measurement device to a pressure indicator.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein said pressure indicator may be selected from a group of pressure indicators consisting of a manometer, a digital manometer, a pressure dome, and an electronic display.
10 . A method of performing a surgical procedure at an anatomical location in a patient, comprising the steps of:
a) making an incision in said patient to provide access to an anatomical element;
b) inserting a catheter having a hollow interior and an opening into a predetermined area of muscle tissue located in close approximation to said anatomical element, wherein said catheter is connected with a first end of a tube;
c) connecting a second end of said tube with a pressure detection device;
d) retracting muscle tissue surrounding said anatomical element with a retractor to expose said anatomical element; and
e) obtaining a pressure reading from said pressure detection device indicative of an amount of pressure experienced by said predetermined area of muscle tissue as a result of said retraction.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of bleeding atmospheric fluid from said tube prior to step (c).
12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of communicating to a surgeon performing said retraction any abnormal pressure readings from step (e).
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of adjusting said retraction of said muscle tissue in response to any abnormal pressure reading.
14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of shortening a length of time said muscle tissue is retracted in response to any abnormal pressure reading.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of recording said pressure reading in an electronic database continuously throughout said surgical procedure.
16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of connecting an output of said pressure measurement device to a pressure indicator.
17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of displaying said pressure reading to a surgeon.
18 . A method of performing a surgical procedure at an anatomical location in a patient, comprising the steps of:
a) making an incision in said patient to provide access to an anatomical element;
b) inserting a catheter having a pressure transducer disposed on a shaft portion of said needle into a predetermined area of muscle tissue surrounding said anatomical element;
c) retracting muscle tissue surrounding said anatomical element with a retractor to expose said anatomical element; and
d) obtaining a pressure reading from said pressure transducer indicative of an amount of pressure experienced by said predetermined area of muscle tissue as a result of said retraction.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of communicating to a surgeon performing said retraction any abnormal pressure readings from step (d).
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of adjusting said retraction of said muscle tissue in response to any abnormal pressure reading.
21 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of shortening a length of time said muscle tissue is retracted in response to any abnormal pressure reading.
22 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of recording said pressure reading in an electronic database throughout said surgical procedure.
23 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of connecting said catheter to a pressure indicator.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said pressure indicator comprises an electronic display.