Risks can arise from the surgery to implant the hardware and side effects can arise from the application of stimulation and associated adjustments to medication.
Insertion of the brain electrodes may cause bleeding (a ‘stroke’) during surgery. This occurs in around 1% of patients. Such bleeding, if it occurs, can be minor (not noticed by the patient) or major (causing disability or even death). This risk is maximal at the time of surgery or shortly afterwards.
Infection of the device occurs in less than 5% of patients. This is usually treated with antibiotics and temporary removal of the battery. Rarely the whole DBS system needs removal.
In around 3% of patients, we may recommend adjusting the position of the brain electrodes in a second procedure (removal and re-implantation of electrodes).
Like any operation, there are many other general risks such as constipation, confusion, bladder retention, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), lung clots and wound healing issues. However, typically patients are able to walk around the ward from the first day after surgery, and feel able to return to work after 6-8 weeks.
Side effects can arise due to stimulation or adjustments to medication. Thus, these side effects (if they occur) can usually be reversed by adjusting stimulation and medication. Stimulation side effects that occur depend on the condition being treated and the target that is implanted. The potential for such side effects, and their potential to be reversed, is the reason why patients are monitored very closely in the first weeks after surgery and why we take the precaution of involving a neuropsychiatrist. In patients with Parkinson’s disease, we formally assess postoperative outcomes at 4 months and 12 months postoperatively to ensure that optimal results have been achieved and to screen for subtle side effects.
Surgical Consulting and Movement Precinct,
Level 1, Cabrini Medical Centre,
183 Wattletree Rd, Malvern 3144
E: [email protected]
P: 9079 1880