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Neuromonitoring During Spine Surgery

Neuromonitoring is a technique the surgeons at Saratoga Spine often use to ensure the health and safety of their patients. But what is neuromonitoring? And how is neuromonitoring used during spine surgery?

What is Neuromonitoring?

what is neuromonitoring and neuromonitoring during spine surgeryNeuromonitoring is the term used for monitoring a patient’s nervous system during surgery. Typically with neuromonitoring, a trained neurologist or neurophysiologist will be in the operating room in addition to the surgeon and anesthesiologist. The neurologist’s role is to constantly monitor and measure the patient’s nervous system activities to identify potential adverse effects on their nerves.

Monitoring of the nervous system is accomplished in a few ways. Electrodes are typically placed on the patient’s body. One technique used to monitor the nervous system function is to send out small electrical impulses from some of the electrodes and measure the response using electrodes on other parts of the body. Another technique is to monitor natural neurological signals during the surgery to watch for changes. Small changes in the nervous system activity and response to signals can be due various factors such as anesthesia, temperature, stresses, and pressure on the nerves. Often, a combination of different types of monitoring is used to ensure a positive outcome of the surgery with no neurological damage.

Neuromonitoring During Spine Surgery

Neuromonitoring is often used in surgery when the location or type of surgery poses a risk of nervous system damage. Because the spinal cord travels within the spinal canal, spine surgeries can often benefit from the use of neuromonitoring.

Some spinal surgeries pose a higher risk of nervous system damage than others. For instance, for the surgical removal of a tumor close to the spinal cord, the surgeon may opt to use neuromonitoring to ensure the spinal cord is not affected during the tumor removal process.

Going Forward

Neuromonitoring and the techniques used have been evolving over the past few decades. Its efficacy continues to improve and its use will most likely continue to grow over time.

 

 

References

*Please Note: Information on this site or any recommended sites should not be used as a diagnosis or a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery