Intelligent Technologies as Assistive Tools during Pelvic Intraoperative Neuromonitoring

Surgical intervention within the pelvic region can lead to postoperative deficits of urinary, fecal, and sexual function. Intraoperative neuromonitoring in the pelvic region (pIONM) may dramatically improve the quality of living of patients after colorectal cancer surgery. Minimizing the invasiveness of the method is a top priority for intelligent assistive technologies. Following several computing and phantom simulations, we developed a system for continuous minimally invasive pIONM that allows for surface stimulation of the sacral area within the pelvic region, acquisition of spontaneous activity within the anal canal, and control of the quality of the tissue-electrode contact via a self-developed impedance measurement system.