Abstract: Objective · To analyze the relationship between somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) monitoring and function recovery in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and predict the postoperative therapy effect.  Methods · The clinical data of 99 cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients (from Nov 2014 to Apr 2016) were retrospectively collected. SEP monitoring was used during operation. According to variations of SEP, patients were divided into obvious group (SEP improved more than 50%) and normal group (SEP improved less than or equal to 50%). The therapy effect was evaluated with Japanese Orthopedic Association Scoring System (JOA) score.  Results · For all patients, mean SEP was improved by (181.624±371.311)%. For two groups, there was no difference in basic information and JOA score before operation. There was significant difference between two groups in JOA score and improved rate one week after operation (both P=0.000), but no difference between two groups in JOA score or improved rate six months after operation (both P>0.05).  Conclusion · SEP improvement is consistent with JOA score. Obvious improvement in SEP indicates a good recovery in shortterm, but not suitable for evaluating long-term effect.

Key words: cervical vertebra, somatosensory-evoked potential monitoring, postoperative, therapy effect