Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), popularly known as "brain pacemaker", is a treatment method that is becoming increasingly widespread and open to development in medical practice. This treatment method, which is currently frequently used in our country against movement disorders such as Parkinson's Disease and Dystonia, will be routinely used in different areas such as obesity, psychiatric diseases, Alzheimer's Disease, addiction, tinnitus and chronic pain in the coming years.
How is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Applied?
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is similar to the pacemaker, which has been used safely all over the world for a long time. As is known in the society, the main purpose of a pacemaker is to ensure that the heart works in the correct rhythm by stimulating the area in the heart that controls the rhythm of the heart with a battery placed under the skin. Just like the pacemaker, the aim of deep brain stimulation is to stimulate target points in the brain with a battery placed under the skin so that they work correctly.
Before starting all these procedures, the patient's suitability for this treatment is investigated through detailed neurological examination and tests. Surgical preparations are started in suitable patients. During the surgery, a frame is placed on the head under local anesthesia to prevent the head from moving and to make precise measurements. Thanks to this frame, a tomography scan is taken on a tomography device with high image quality.
When the patient is taken to the operating room, the tomography images are uploaded to the computer program and the target brain tissues are mapped and marked with precise measurements. Then, in the operating room, under sterile conditions, electrodes are placed at the target points in the brain. The battery is placed under the collarbone and connected to the electrodes placed inside the brain with cables passing under the skin.
All these procedures take approximately 2 hours. The patient is hospitalized overnight for observation and discharged the next day.
Is Deep Brain Stimulation Risky?
Deep brain stimulation is a type of surgery and as with any surgery, there are certain risks involved. However, thanks to the advanced technology used in our hospital, these risks are minimized.
According to studies, the risk of deep brain stimulation surgery is 0.7% on average. In other words, there is a possibility of a problem in 7 out of a thousand patients. Compared to all surgeries, this is a very low rate.
What are the Advantages of Deep Brain Stimulation?
The implanted electrodes do not cause any damage to brain functions and do not restrict the patient's life. The new generation battery technology does not even prevent patients from entering the MRI device. The device can be controlled from the outside without touching the patient and can be switched off in case of a possible complication.
The life of the rechargeable batteries varies between 15 and 25 years depending on usage, and when the battery life expires, it can be replaced within 15 minutes with local anesthesia. This brings the advantage of long-term treatment for patients.
Deep brain stimulation can be effective in controlling symptoms and improve quality of life in patients. The advantages of using this treatment option allow patients to lead their daily lives more comfortably.