Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM), also known as intraoperative neuromonitoring, is a technique used during surgery to monitor the functional integrity of certain neural structures (e.g., nerves, spinal cord and parts of the brain) to reduce the risk of damage.

Overview

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is used to monitor the functional integrity of certain neural structures (e.g., nerves, spinal cord and parts of the brain) during surgery. The aim is to reduce the risk of damage to these structures and to facilitate the surgical procedure. IOM can be used in various types of surgeries, such as neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, ENT surgery, vascular surgery and others where neural structures may be at risk.

Techniques

There are several techniques used in IOM, including EEG, EMG, EPs, and others. The choice of technique depends on the type of surgery and the specific neural structures at risk.

Benefits

The main benefit of IOM is the potential to reduce the risk of postoperative neurological deficits by identifying changes in brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve function during surgery. This allows for immediate intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Risks

While IOM is generally considered safe, there are some risks associated with its use. These include potential for false positive or false negative results, and complications related to the use of needles and electrodes.

History

The use of IOM has increased significantly over the past few decades, as the understanding of neurophysiology and the technology for monitoring has advanced.

See also

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic surgery
• ENT surgery
• Vascular surgery
• Electroencephalography
• Electromyography
• Evoked potentials