Utility of electromyography for nerve root monitoring during spinal surgery

In addition to potential spinal cord injury, spinal surgery carries a risk of damage to spinal nerve roots, which could result in sensory or motor deficit. Both spontaneous and triggered electromyography (sEMG and tEMG, respectively) have been employed to reduce the risk of these deficits. This article reviews the theory and best practice of electromyographic monitoring for spinal surgery, the evidence supporting its use for various types of spine surgery, and finally, suggestions for future directions to improve knowledge and advance electromyographic monitoring of spinal nerves.