Civic hospitals in Mumbai to get nerve-monitoring system for surgeries

Mumbai civic hospitals are set to get special technology for patients undergoing surgeries where there is a risk of nerve injury. Work has begun on installing the Intra Operative Nerve Monitoring, or IONM, system in civic hospitals, which continuously tracks nerve function during an operation and immediately alerts doctors to any abnormality.

The key feature of this system is that nerve damage, which until now was detected only after surgery, will now be visible to doctors while the operation is still underway. This will allow doctors to take necessary steps immediately.

In certain complex surgeries, such as neurosurgery involving the brain, spinal cord, thyroid and the ear, nose and throat, doctors have to operate very close to nerves. This carries a risk of pressure on or injury to the nerve. If the functioning of the nerve is continuously monitored during the surgery itself, the danger can be identified in time.

Mumbai civic hospitals conduct a large number of surgeries every year, some of which are performed very close to nerves. The decision to introduce the IONM system was taken to reduce the risk in such surgeries. A tender process has been started for this, and the administration is working to make the system available.

The system continuously monitors the electrical signals emitted by nerves during surgery. As soon as there is any change in these signals, the surgeon is informed immediately, based on which they can change the method of surgery or take the necessary precautions to reduce pressure on the nerve.

For instance, in thyroid surgery, injury to the nerve connected to the larynx can change the patient's voice. Similarly, in certain surgeries of the brain and spinal cord, an impact on nerve function can also affect the patient's movements or other bodily functions. This is why this system, which continuously monitors nerves, is considered important in such sensitive surgeries.