Monitoring depth of anesthesia: The role of bispectral index (BIS) in clinical practice

Monitoring the depth of anesthesia is essential to ensure patient safety, prevent intraoperative awareness, and optimize anesthetic drug administration. The Bispectral Index (BIS) is a widely used processed electroencephalogram (EEG) parameter that provides a numerical scale to assess the level of consciousness during anesthesia. This article reviews the clinical utility of BIS monitoring, its physiological basis, advantages, limitations, and its impact on anesthetic outcomes. Evidence suggests that BIS contributes to reduced anesthetic consumption and faster recovery, although its influence on awareness prevention remains debated.