Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is not done with all surgeries. It is normally done with any surgeries in which there is a risk to the nervous system. That doesn’t mean that the surgery has to be performed on the nervous system – instead, the surgery may involve a risk to the nervous system.
IONM involves measuring the integrity of the nerves, brain, spinal cord, and other structures during surgery. The goal is to reduce damage to the nervous system, as well as to provide guidance to the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. IONM normally involves hooking electrodes to the body which will read signals from the nervous system, which can help let the surgeon know how the body is responding during surgery.
In most cases, neuromonitoring is done by spinal surgeons, but many other types of surgeons may use neuromonitoring as well, including neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, urology surgeons, and orthopedic surgeons. During any surgery involving the spinal column, there is risk to the spinal cord. In most cases, neuromonitoring goes well and can help to reduce the risk of danger to the patient. However, in a few cases it can go badly, and may actually cause damage to the patient by leading a surgeon to be more aggressive, believing that the surgery is going well when it is not.
If you have been seriously injured during a surgery that was monitored by IONM, it may be time to speak with an attorney. You have legal rights, and you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call me, Conal Doyle, IONM attorney at 310-385-0567. We can help. My team has experience in handling cases involving injuries during IONM, and we are happy to talk with you about your case. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.