In a nutshell
This study investigated the complication rates after deep brain stimulation (DBS) device replacement in patients with Parkinson's disease. Researchers suggested that this surgery is of low risk for these patients.
Some background
Parkinson's disease (PD) affects brain cells. The body functions controlled by these cells are lost causing symptoms such as muscle rigidity and impaired balance. The standard treatment for PD symptoms is levodopa. However, this treatment is only of limited effectiveness and is associated with negative side effects.
DBS consists of the delivery of electrical impulses to the brain through a device placed on the brain by surgery. Prior studies showed that DBS improves the symptoms of patients with moderate disease. However, there are no studies about the use of DBS in end-stage patients.
It has been reported that the DBS device replacement surgery is associated with complications such as infections. It is still not clear how in risk end-stage patients could be undergoing this surgery.
Methods & findings
This study included information on 404 patients with PD. These patients were assigned to receive DBS primary surgery (232) or to the DBS device replacement (172). Infections rate was measured.
Infections up to 90 days after surgery occurred in 0.6% of patients in the replacement group and in 2.5% of the primary surgery group. Delayed infections (more than 90 days after surgery) occurred in 2.7% of all cases. Replacement surgery was performed in 11 end-stage patients. None of these patients had infections or any other surgical complications.
The bottom line
This study concluded that the DBS device replacement surgery is of low-risk for patients with end-stage Parkinson's disease.
The fine print
This study had a limited number of participants. Further studies are needed.
Published By :
World neurosurgery
Date :
May 03, 2019
