title: Intra-operative neurophysiologic monitoring in neurosurgery: benefits, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness.
abstract: Intra-operative neurophysiologic monitoring is now a well established adjunct to many different kinds of operations in which neural tissue is being manipulated. Its main benefit is to reduce the incidence of permanent postoperative neurologic deficits, but there are also other advantages in using intra-operative monitoring, e.g., it helps to identify neural tissue that is not directly visible; in some cases it can identify the anatomic location of a pathology; and in a few operations it ensures that the therapeutic goal of the operation has been achieved before the operation is completed. The value of the techniques involved in intra-operative neurophysiologic monitoring differs from operation to operation, and surgeons with different degrees of experience in a particular operation may benefit by different degrees from the use of intra-operative monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Presbyterian-University Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Møller
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D009482:Neurophysiology; D009493:Neurosurgery