Effectiveness of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during spinal surgery

Abstract

Aim. To assess the application of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) for spinal surgeries in accordance with the Federal Center of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Endoprosthesis (Cheboksary, Russian Federation) Material and methods. A total of 366 spinal surgeries, Federal Center of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Endoprosthesis from 2009 to 2015. From 2009 to 2013, the wake-up test was used as a control method in 116 (65.9%) cases. Results. Application of IONM revealed time-dependent risks and facilitated a reduction in the incidence of postoperative neurologic complications by 3-fold (from 2.6% to 0.8%). In the second half of 2013, IONM was introduced for use in clinical practice. Since then, 250 surgeries were performed with IONM. Of these, the wake-up test was required in 9 (3.6%) patients. Clinical implementation of IONM extended the benefits of surgery to patients with severe pathologies. The number of surgeries for congenital pathologies increased by 10-fold (from 1% to 10%) and by 2.6-fold for degenerative diseases. IONM possibility allows control of intraoperative neurologic complications among patients with spinal injuries (5%) and neuro and muscular scoliosis. Conclusions. The application of IONM minimized the need for the wake-up test and significantly decreased the incidence of neurological complications caused by injury to the spinal cord and spinal roots during execution of spinal manipulations.