What happens if SSEP responses show significant variability during monitoring?

When SSEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potential) responses exhibit significant variability during monitoring, it is essential to re-evaluate electrode placement and stimulation parameters. This is because variability can indicate that the recordings may not be capturing the true neurophysiologic responses, which could be due to improper electrode positioning, inadequate contact, or issues with the stimulation technique.

Proper electrode placement is crucial for obtaining reliable SSEP responses, as inaccuracies can lead to misleading data that may not reflect the patient's neurological status. Additionally, if the stimulation parameters such as intensity, duration, or frequency are not optimized, this can contribute to inconsistencies in the responses. Ensuring these factors are correctly addressed helps in obtaining stable and accurate monitoring, which is vital for assessing the integrity of neural pathways during surgical procedures.

Continuing the procedure without addressing the variability would not be advisable, as it could jeopardize patient safety and the quality of the monitoring being performed. Hence, review and correction of electrode and stimulation factors are vital steps in managing unexpected variability in SSEP responses.