Complications of deep brain stimulation surgery

Abstract

Currently, DBS is a commonly performed surgery for treatment of movement disorders, especially Parkinson's disease. Although nonablative and minimally invasive, this procedure may give rise to many complications and side effects, some of which are neither reversible nor adaptable. This study reviews the potential complications of DBS along the entire path of this procedure, from patient selection through the postoperative period. Although intraoperative complications such as paralysis and hematoma are rare, other serious complications due to the hardware, such as lead fracture, dislocation, and infection, are not uncommon. Complications or side effects as a result of chronic stimulation itself may be the most common. It is concluded that every member of the surgical team, including the referring neurologist, has an important role in the avoidance of such complications. Proper and careful patient selection, matching each patient to the specific DBS procedure appropriate for his/her symptom profile and suitable for his/her social and cognitive condition, along with experienced and careful intraoperative surgical routine, may be the best way to prevent the complications of DBS procedures. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society