During scoliosis surgery, SSEP monitoring may replace the need for which test?

During scoliosis surgery, Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEP) monitoring is particularly useful because it provides real-time feedback about spinal cord integrity and neuronal function. The Stagnara wake-up test is a method where the patient is temporarily awakened during surgery to assess motor function and ensure that there has been no significant compromise to the spinal cord—this can be risky and not always practical during surgical procedures.

SSEP monitoring serves a similar purpose in that it helps to continuously assess and monitor the health of the spinal cord and its pathways to the brain. By evaluating the neural signals evoked by sensory stimulation, SSEP can detect compromised function, thereby reducing or even eliminating the need for the invasive and sometimes complicated Stagnara wake-up test. This not only enhances patient safety by minimizing disruption during surgery but also reduces the need for additional procedures that entail potential risks, thus allowing the surgical team to maintain focus on the operation itself.

In contrast, the other tests listed do not directly substitute for the monitoring function that SSEP offers during scoliosis surgery. The O'Hara clonus test and the Ruben hematocrit test are unrelated to spinal cord monitoring, instead focusing on different aspects of neurological or systemic function, and a neurologic exam typically