Pacific Neurophysiologists has introduced a neuromonitoring service, which assists spine surgeons and neurosurgeons during surgery by monitoring the patient's condition and reducing the risk of nerve damage.
According to Dr Geoffrey Bush, founder of Pacific Neurophysiologists, spine surgery is a complicated procedure that comes with the risk of damaging the patient's nervous system and leaving them with paresthesia or paralysis. By having neuromonitoring during surgery, the surgeon receives a warning if they could potentially damage a nerve, greatly reducing the chance of dealing lasting damage.
During the surgery, the neurophysiologist observes the continuous collection of data and closely coordinates with the online physician, who provides continuous remote observation and interprets the data. Dr Bush says that the presence of real-time feedback during surgery will allow surgeons to immediately correct events that previously went undetected until the patient was in post-operative recovery.
Neuromonitoring works by placing small needle electrodes in several muscles that are connected to the part of the spinal cord the surgeon is working on. The neurophysiologist also places electrodes along some of the nerves in the patient's arms and/or legs, as well as the scalp. Allowing for stimulation of the nerves and recording the response of nerve activity from the brain. This monitors the entire pathway from the limb, through the spinal cord, and into the brain.
The electrodes placed in the muscles are vital when the surgeon is operating near a nerve root, which is the portion of the nerve that comes out of the spinal cord. If the surgeon is compressing, stretching, or compromising that nerve root in any way, the muscle will twitch, which the neurophysiologist will detect and inform the surgeon of the potential for nerve damage.
According to Dr Bush, neuromonitoring is a relatively recent service that many patients are not aware about. While most younger orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons are familiar with the benefits, many older surgeons are hesitant with the procedure, as it was not part of their training.
Dr Bush conveys that neuromonitoring is a vital service that provides protection to patients, and, if made aware of the service's availability, patients are likely to agree to have it present during their surgery. Having neuromonitoring can also be beneficial for surgeons, as it reduces the chances of surgery complications that could decrease postoperative deficits.
“In the medical field, the patient is their own best advocate. The more the patient understands about what's going to happen, the better they are equipped to fight for their own well-being. Our objective is for more people to know about neuromonitoring, because it can help and protect patients by providing the surgeon additional information about what’s happening during surgery. We also want surgeons to better understand our side of the story, and how neuromonitoring helps protect them as well,” Dr Bush concludes.
About Pacific Neurophysiologists
Pacific Neurophysiologists is a medical company located in Los Gatos, California that was founded by Dr Geoffrey Bush in 2017. It provides neuromonitoring services for various neurological, vascular, and orthopedic surgeries, reducing the risk of complications. Pacific Neurophysiologists believe that the patient deserves the best possible care before, during, and after surgery.
Media Contact:
Name: Dr. Geoffrey Bush
Email: [email protected]
