Deep Brain Surgery Revision in Essential Tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s Patients
Abstract
Deep Brain Surgery is a neurosurgery that involves inserting long, needlike lead electrodes into the brain. When the leads have been inserted and hit the coordinates that were designated preoperative, it is connected to a subcutaneous battery that powers the leads. This neurostimulator will then send electrical signals to the movement areas of the brain, treating tremors that are exhibited by patients with Parkinson’s and Essential Tremor. However, this surgery has about a 95% success rate, and around 15% of the successful patients are in need of a revision surgery. Revision of this surgery is caused by postoperative complications that fail to regulate the tremors. It can look like anything from a complete removal of the original lead with a replacement lead that targets the correct coordinates, or it could look like pushing in the first lead a few millimeters. We analyzed 200 DBS patients and found 6 that have gotten revision surgery. Within those 6, we found the number of patients who got successful revisions and who had unsuccessful revisions. By finding these statistics, we are able to further explore reasons why some revision surgeries are unsuccessful and what could prevent that. We also find the percentage of patients, out of the 15% of all revision surgeries, who are successful. Further research could include delving into the difference between unilateral and bilateral DBS surgery, and how that impacts cognitive behavior and revision success rate.
Deep Brain Surgery Revision in Essential Tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s Patients
ECL 340
Deep Brain Surgery is a neurosurgery that involves inserting long, needlike lead electrodes into the brain. When the leads have been inserted and hit the coordinates that were designated preoperative, it is connected to a subcutaneous battery that powers the leads. This neurostimulator will then send electrical signals to the movement areas of the brain, treating tremors that are exhibited by patients with Parkinson’s and Essential Tremor. However, this surgery has about a 95% success rate, and around 15% of the successful patients are in need of a revision surgery. Revision of this surgery is caused by postoperative complications that fail to regulate the tremors. It can look like anything from a complete removal of the original lead with a replacement lead that targets the correct coordinates, or it could look like pushing in the first lead a few millimeters. We analyzed 200 DBS patients and found 6 that have gotten revision surgery. Within those 6, we found the number of patients who got successful revisions and who had unsuccessful revisions. By finding these statistics, we are able to further explore reasons why some revision surgeries are unsuccessful and what could prevent that. We also find the percentage of patients, out of the 15% of all revision surgeries, who are successful. Further research could include delving into the difference between unilateral and bilateral DBS surgery, and how that impacts cognitive behavior and revision success rate.
