Determinants influencing intraoperative neuromonitoring quality during cervical spine treatment: A systematic review

Abstract

The functional integrity of the nervous system is monitored using a method known as Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) during surgical operations. Utilizing devices positioned on the patient's skin or within their muscles, IONM normally entails monitoring the electrical activity of nerves or muscles. The surgical technique used during the cervical spine treatment can influence the quality of IONM. Surgeons who are experienced in IONM and have a good understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the cervical spine are more likely to obtain accurate and reliable IONM signals. The signals are transmitted to a monitoring system that provides real-time feedback to the surgical team. This feedback can alert the team to potential nerve damage, allowing them to make adjustments to the surgical technique or take other steps to protect the nerves. Patient factors such as age, medical history, and comorbidities can influence the quality of IONM. For instance, patients with pre-existing neurological conditions or those who are elderly may have a higher risk of neurological damage during the surgery, which can affect the quality of IONM. The use of IONM for Anterior Cervical Spinal Surgery (ACSS) has been widely researched across a number of medical reference sources. Research on behind cervical surgery were neglected to take into consideration.