Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure that involves the implantation of 1 or more electrodes in your brain. These electrodes are used to transmit electrical pulses to specific areas of your brain to block abnormal brain signals that could be causing various neurological disorders.

The surgery requires considerable pre-operative planning, during which our team of specialists will evaluate your MRI and CT brain scans to define the target areas.

Upon identification of these areas, you will undergo 2 separate surgical procedures:

1. Our team of expert surgeons will strategically implant the electrodes into the identified areas of your brain through small burr holes made in your skull. Local anaesthesia will be applied to numb your scalp and protect you from any discomfort. It is important for you to remain conscious during this procedure to provide feedback, so that your surgeon knows that the correct areas of your brain are being stimulated.
2. In the second procedure, your surgeon will place you under a general anaesthesic before carefully inserting a battery, called an impulse generator, within your chest. This will enable you to regulate side effects and suppress symptoms with the use of a wireless hand-held controller (in a manner similar to a cardiac pacemaker). Battery implementation may be done immediately after electrode implantation or at a later session at your request.

Deep brain stimulation surgery will most likely be recommended to help you if you have been diagnosed with stage 3 Parkinson’s disease or if your prescribed medication has not sufficiently improved your symptoms.