Intraoperative Monitoring

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is used to prevent paralysis, loss of sensation, brain damage and generalized decreased function. The first intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring program in Knoxville was developed at St. Mary’s Medical Center. St. Mary’s has been an innovator in the development of intraoperative monitoring techniques.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is performed for two reasons. The first is to prevent nerve damage during surgery to the brain, spinal cord, arms and legs. The second is to map the location of important nerves in the brain, spinal cord, arms and legs so they are not harmed during surgery.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is performed most often in neurosurgical, orthopedic and cardiovascular surgeries. These intraoperative studies are performed using clinical tests that have been adapted for use in the operating room (electroencephalography, transcranial doppler ultrasonography, visual evoked potentials, brainstem auditory evoked potentials, somatosensory evoked potentials, nerve conduction studies and electromyography) and motor evoked potentials.

Click here to read a Position Statement by the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring, Ronald E. Leppanen, Ph.D., D.ABNM, FASNM.