Jacques Nel And Associates | Clinical Neurophysiology

How does intra-operative neuro-monitoring work?

There are several different techniques used in IONM depending on the type of surgery being performed and the area of the body being monitored. Here are some examples

SSEP

Somatosensory evoked potentials involve stimulating sensory nerves in a limb and measuring how long it takes for signals to travel from the limb to the brain. This can help detect any issues with nerve function during surgery.

MEP

Motor evoked potentials (MEP) involve sending electrical impulses through electrodes placed on muscles near where surgery is taking place. This can help determine if there is any interruption or damage to motor pathways.

Electromyography

Electromyography involves placing small needles into muscles near where surgery is taking place to measure muscle activity. This can help detect any changes in muscle function during surgical procedures

The data collected during IONM is analysed by trained neurophysiologists who work closely with surgeons throughout the procedure. If any issues arise, they can alert the surgeon immediately so that corrective action can be taken.

IONM

Intra-operative neuro-monitoring

Intra-operative neuro-monitoring is a technique that allows surgeons to monitor the function of the nervous system during surgery. This helps identify potential damage or injury to nerves, which can be critical in preventing long-term complications.

During IONM, electrodes are placed on various parts of the body such as the scalp, spine, or limbs to measure electrical activity. These electrodes are connected to a monitoring machine that records nerve responses in real-time.

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