Intra-Operative Neuro-Monitoring (IONM) | Jacques Nel & Associates, Pretoria

Intra-Operative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)

Protecting the nervous system during surgery. Our neurophysiologist works alongside your surgical team in theatre to monitor nerve function in real time and minimise the risk of intraoperative injury.

What is Intra-Operative Neuro-Monitoring?

Intra-operative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is a technique that allows surgeons to monitor the function of the nervous system throughout a surgical procedure. Electrodes are placed on various parts of the body, including the scalp, spine, and limbs, to measure electrical activity. These electrodes are connected to a monitoring machine that records nerve responses in real time.

If any issues arise during surgery, our trained neurophysiologist is able to alert the surgeon immediately so that corrective action can be taken, helping to prevent long-term complications.

Techniques Used in IONM

Our neurophysiologist uses several complementary monitoring techniques during surgery:

SSEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potentials): Sensory nerves in a limb are stimulated and the time taken for signals to travel from the limb to the brain is measured, helping detect any issues with sensory nerve function.
MEP (Motor Evoked Potentials): Electrical impulses are sent through electrodes placed on muscles near the surgical site to determine whether motor pathways have been interrupted or damaged.
EMG (Electromyography): Small needles are inserted into muscles near the surgical site to measure muscle activity and detect any changes in muscle function during the procedure.