defibrillator (DBS)
- Deep stimulation of the brain, by electrodes implanted in the deep structures of the brain (called the basal ganglia). The electrodes are connected to a subcutaneous pacemaker in the chest - through which the neurological networks responsible for movement can be activated.
- The treatment is designed to ease the quality of life of people who suffer from motor symptoms that do not go away with drug treatment, or the drug treatment is accompanied by serious side effects.
- After the surgical procedure, the patient goes through a process of calibrating the electrodes, until optimal therapeutic efficiency is reached. In the future, he will be monitored regularly for years and changes can be made according to the progress of the disease and symptoms.
- Not every Parkinson's patient is a good candidate for this treatment and the decision to treat it depends on the neurologist, the neurosurgeon and of course the patient himself.
Complications/side effects of the surgery
The operation is extremely safe.
Complications are rare and include infection in the area of the device, damage to brain tissue, cerebral hemorrhage, convulsions, and incorrect placement of the electrode in the brain that requires correction.
The worsening of speech, the worsening of cognitive abilities (there are differences of opinion on this because some patients are cognitively impaired even without the pacemaker).
The side effects that may appear at the beginning of the programming and calibration of the neurostimulator are sensory disturbances - such as numbness, tingling or currents in the face/limbs - and changes in behavior or mood. But as a rule all these pass quickly.
Click here to review the Ministry of Health's circular from the "All Health" website