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Safer and more precise neurosurgery: East Hospital introduces intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring
Neurosurgery Department 16 of the Neurology and Neurosurgery Clinic at Riga East University Hospital (East Hospital) has successfully performed its first surgeries on patients with brain and spinal cord tumours, using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. This innovative technique allows neurosurgeons to continuously monitor the functioning of the patient’s nervous system, thereby ensuring highly precise tumor removal while significantly reducing the risk of damage to critical neural structures. For patients, this translates into safer surgery, a lower likelihood of postoperative complications, improved chances of preserving motor and sensory functions, and a quicker recovery and return to their everyday activities in cases where tumours are located near vital neural structures.
The successful outcome of the operation was ensured by a multidisciplinary medical team, including neurosurgeons: Associate Professor Kaspars Auslands, Evija Bergfelde, and neurosurgery resident Aija Tumova, anaesthesiologists from the Anaesthesiology Clinic: Anita Skudre and Jekaterina Kudrjavceva, neurophysiologist Vlada Meļņikova, and nurses Regīna Rucka, Dace Ivanovska, Elīna Neilande, and Ludmila Timofejeva. The operation was monitored by representatives of an international company – Anna Grizāne-Ļaļugo and Moritz Billian, a specialist in medical technologies and neurophysiology.
Neurophysiologists plays a key role in such operations, monitoring the functional state of the patient’s nervous system while surgeons remove the tumor. This approach allows physicians to remove tumor tissue while simultaneously eliminating or minimizing the risk of additional functional damage.
Meanwhile, neurosurgeon and Associate Professor Kaspars Auslands from the Neurology and Neurosurgery Clinic explains: “Intraoperative monitoring provides safer conditions for surgery and significantly reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications, such as movement or sensory impairments.” This technology and teamwork not only allow for improving disease prognosis, but also enable significantly faster patient recovery and return to their everyday activities.
“Introduction of such procedures into the routine practice of Neurosurgery Department 16 demonstrates the East Hospital’s commitment to the highest safety standards and innovations in neurosurgery in Latvia,” notes with satisfaction Professor Guntis Karelis, Head of the Neurology and Neurosurgery Clinic.
The introduction of intraoperative monitoring became possible as a result of focused work over the past four years. During this time, a new residency programme titled “Neurophysiologist” was developed to ensure specialised training for physicians working in the field of neurophysiology. The first residents have already completed the programme, gaining knowledge and practical skills required to perform intraoperative monitoring.
International exchange of experience also played an important role in the project. Specialists underwent training at Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden where they learned the latest methods and organisational principles of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.
It should also be noted that East Hospital acquired modern and innovative neurophysiological monitoring equipment enabling highly precise monitoring of nervous system functions during surgery. Combined with the expertise of highly qualified specialists, this modern technology ensures a higher level of patient safety and compliance with international neurosurgical standards at East Hospital.
The Chairman of the Board of East Hospital, Vadims Beļuns, who observed the operation in person, emphasized that this marks an important milestone in the development of the hospital. “This is a significant moment and achievement in the development of neurosurgery and neurophysiology, which allows to strengthen the hospital’s ability to provide modern, safe, and patient-centred treatment.”
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/austrumu_slimnicas_foto/albums/72177720332373365
About the East Hospital
Riga East University Hospital is the largest and strategically significant multi-profile hospital in the country. The hospital consists of five inpatient facilities – Gaiļezers, Latvian Oncology Centre, Biķernieki, Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Centre, and Latvian Infectious Diseases Centre, along with various specialised centres and clinics. The hospital provides highly specialised inpatient and secondary outpatient healthcare, offering multidisciplinary tertiary-level treatment and care in line with modern technology and medical knowledge. Approximately 80% of all cancer patients in Latvia are treated at the hospital. It serves as a practical training base for both Latvian educational institutions and foreign students, providing further education and knowledge transfer to healthcare specialists within and beyond the country. The hospital engages in scientific research and develops innovative methods for patient treatment. As the third-largest employer in the country, the hospital employs around 5000 staff members.
