Intraoperative electromyography (EMG): an updated position statement by the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring

Electromyography (EMG) is used to assess the functional status of peripheral motor axons during surgical procedures and can help protect patients' neurological integrity intraoperatively. This is a position statement on intraoperative EMG monitoring from the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring (ASNM) and updates prior ASNM position statement on EMG from 2005. This position statement is endorsed by ASNM and serves as an educational service to the neurophysiological community on the recommended use of EMG as a neurophysiological monitoring tool. It presents the rationale for EMG utilization and its clinical applications. It also covers the relevant anatomy, technical methodology for setup and signal acquisition, signal interpretation, anesthesia and physiological considerations, and documentation and credentialing requirements to optimize EMG monitoring to aid in protecting the peripheral nervous system during surgery.