Parkinson's Disease and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery

Updated Date: 04 March 2023 Saturday Neurosurgery

Parkinson's disease and deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery

What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease; It is a movement disorder that often occurs after the age of 50. Symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement are common due to reduced production of a substance called dopamine by brain cells (neurons). The first-line treatment for the disease is drug therapy, but drug treatment is effective in patients for the first few years. Although the dose and number of drugs are increased in the later years of the disease, the symptoms are not brought under control. At this stage, the patient should now be evaluated for deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Which Parkinson's patients are suitable for DBS surgery?

Patients who have been under medical treatment for at least 3 years, whose symptoms have not been controlled by medication, or who experience side effects (such as dyskinesia) due to the use of high-dose antiparkinsonian drugs, whose symptoms are controlled suitable for DBS Surgery. For the suitability of the operation, however, the patients are discussed in detail in an advisory board made up of neurologists, neurosurgeon and psychiatrists and a decision is made as to whether they are suitable for an operation.

How is a DBS operation performed? What are the risks?

The operation is performed in two stages. In the first step, cables are placed in the target area in the brain using a very sensitive method. The cables are placed in the skull using a special frame through small holes drilled on either side. This phase lasts an average of two hours and is carried out in consultation with the patient under local anesthesia. Then, under general anesthesia, the cables are passed under the skin to the chest area, a battery (neurostimulator) is placed in a pocket area created on the front of the chest, and the connection of the cables and the battery is ensured.

DBS operation is one of the safest methods among all neurosurgical interventions. Patients return to their normal lives a day after the operation. As with any surgery, there is a 1% risk of infection.

What is the success rate of DBS surgery?

There are many factors that determine the success of DBS surgery in Parkinson's patients. After selecting the appropriate patient, careful surgery and effective battery programming, the success rate for complaints is 75-100%.

When will I be discharged?

Prior to DBS surgery, the patient's assessment by the multidisciplinary team is completed within a maximum of two days, and the patient returns to normal daily activities on day 1 post-surgery. After the wound has healed, 4-6 days after the operation. day released.

When is the battery activated?

Battery activation usually occurs within 7-10 days after surgery.

How often is the check carried out?

After activating the battery, the patients are examined two weeks later and return to their country 3 weeks after the operation. Control in the 3rd month and in the 1st year.

How many years does the battery last?

There are two different battery technologies, conventional and rechargeable batteries. Classic batteries have an average lifespan of 3-5 years, while batteries with wireless charging technology have a lifespan of up to 15-18 years.

What other diseases is DBS surgery used for?

Except for Parkinson's disease; It is used to treat dystonia, essential tremor, Huntington's disease, treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder, Tourette's syndrome, drug-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder, and drug-resistant epilepsy.

What diseases is DBS surgery used for?

Parkinson's disease, in particular; It is used to treat dystonia, essential tremor, Huntington's disease, treatment-resistant depression, Tourette's syndrome, drug-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder, and drug-resistant epilepsy.