Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is a crucial advancement in neurosurgery, enhancing procedural safety and precision. This technique involves continuous real-time assessment of neurophysiological signals, aiding surgeons in timely interventions to protect neural structures. In addition to inherent limitations, IONM necessitates a detailed anesthetic plan for accurate signal recording. Given the growing importance of IONM in neurosurgery, we conducted a narrative review including the most relevant studies about the modalities and their application in different fields of neurosurgery. In particular, this review provides insights for all physicians and healthcare professionals unfamiliar with IONM, elucidating commonly used techniques in neurosurgery. In particular, it discusses the roles of IONM in various neurosurgical settings such as tumoral brain resection, neurovascular surgery, epilepsy surgery, spinal surgery, and peripheral nerve surgery. Furthermore, it offers an overview of the anesthesiologic strategies and limitations of techniques essential for the effective implementation of IONM.
Keywords: direct cortical stimulation; electrocorticography; electromyography; evoked potentials; intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring; neurosurgery.