Depending on the procedure, a variety of tests can be used to measure nervous system function. Usually, IONM works by delivering electrical impulses to the nervous system and measuring their effect. To gather this information, electrodes are attached to the wrists, ankles, scalp, and sometimes to specific muscle groups, depending on the type of surgery.
A trained clinician (surgical neurophysiologist), under the supervision of a qualified IONM physician, constantly monitors the information from the tests. When significant neurophysiological change is detected, the IONM team provides immediate feedback to the surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses who can respond quickly to minimize the chances of long-term post-operative injury.
