Kathleen Mears Lecture: Intraoperative Evoked Potential Monitoring—A Historical Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Published reports of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring first appeared in the 1970s describing the use of evoked potentials in orthopedic spinal surgery. The purpose of the monitoring, performed primarily at large academic institutions, was to provide feedback to surgeons of impending neurologic deficits caused by distraction and manipulation of the spinal column. Over the past two decades monitoring has included brainstem auditory and somatosensory EPs, EEG, EMG, and evoked motor responses to provide intraoperative data to surgical specialists, treating many conditions. The practice has spread to include small hospitals and private practice groups. Appropriate training and credentials required for technologists and interpreting physicians has been contentiously debated by professional societies. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a historical perspective of the many changes that have evolved this field.