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28.01.2019 10:49:49
Patients who need DBS are implanted the so-called neurostimulator. It should reduce the manifestation of symptoms related to motor activity, such as tremor or numbness, through the use of electrical impulses send to the brain.
The Elena-Klinik has been using this method for 17 years. “But as technical development has become more difficult, we decided to treat patients by focusing on one area,” says Dr. Friederike Sixel-Doring, a neurologist and Director at the Elena-Klinik.
More and more patients from all over Germany are turning to the clinic which is highly valued abroad. According to Sixel-Doring, in other clinics after the operation patients are often left alone with the problem. There is no support there.
For many years, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been a recognized method for reducing the manifestations of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease related to motility.
Two electrodes are placed in the deep core of the brain. They are linked to a programmable pulse generator. The electrodes and the generator, as well as the connecting cable, are placed under the skin in the chest and neck area.
By using constant electrical impulses, the doctor affects the functioning of the deep nuclei of the brain. Thus, symptoms such as tremor or muscle numbness are eliminated. The patients regain self-sufficiency, which in its turn means a higher quality of life.
This method can be beneficial for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Especially if drug therapy does not lead to the desired improvement or is no longer effective.
Over the last 25 years around the world, this method has been used to treat 100,000 patients, most of which has been treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Before surgery, thorough preliminary examinations are necessary. There are also criteria that may exclude this procedure, such as dementia or age over 75 years.
“It is impossible to become healthy with the help of the neurostimulator,” says Dr. Friederike Sixel-Doring. But scientific studies prove that control over the symptoms related to motility is preserved for many years.
The patient is admitted to the Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik. In a hospital setting, stimulation and therapy with the device is regulated. In addition, the patient is trained to handle the device.
If the wounds have healed and the patient is stable, there follows outpatient monitoring by a neurologist. Thus, it is possible to optimize the device settings and avoid complications. The adjustment period can take from three to six months.
