About the DBS Therapy Implant Procedure

The duration and steps of the implant procedure can vary, and the procedure typically lasts several hours. The hospital stay is usually a few days for the preoperative tests, planning, implant procedure, and initial recovery before home care.

Your surgical team will include:

• A neurologist
• A neurosurgeon specialized in DBS Therapy
• Other healthcare professionals

Is It Painful?

People who have undergone the Medtronic DBS Therapy implant procedure usually describe it as demanding and exhausting, rather than painful. You may have some discomfort and soreness after the procedure that can be managed with pain medication.

How Is the DBS Therapy System Implanted?

There are two parts to the Medtronic DBS Therapy implant procedure.

Step 1: Implanting the Leads

Your neurosurgeon will use MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and/or CT (computer tomography) scanning to map the brain. The lead is inserted through a small opening in the skull and is implanted in a precisely targeted site within the brain.

You will be awake, but lightly sedated for this part of the procedure. Even though the brain itself feels no pain, your doctor may numb your scalp to minimize discomfort. Being awake allows you to help your surgeon determine the best place for the lead.

Your surgeon will test stimulate areas of your brain, while you're asked to move your arms or legs, tap your fingers, move your hands, or pretend to drink from a cup. This allows your surgeon to fine-tune the stimulation for you and find the best lead position to control symptoms like rigidity, slowness of movement, and tremor.

Step 2: Implanting the Neurostimulator and Extensions

After the placement of the leads is confirmed, your surgeon will implant the neurostimulator (pacemaker-like device) under the skin in your chest, just below the collar bone. You will be sedated and asleep for this part of the procedure; it may happen the same day as lead placement or sometime later. During this procedure, the surgeon will also connect the lead to the neurostimulator with extensions that are placed under the skin, leading up from the chest to your neck and head.

What Happens Before the Procedure?

The evening before surgery, you may be instructed to stop taking all of your medications. This allows doctors to determine the effect of DBS Therapy on your symptoms. You will be admitted to the hospital either the night before or the morning of your surgery.

What Are the Risks of the DBS Therapy Implant Procedure?

DBS Therapy requires brain surgery. Risks of brain surgery may include serious complications such as coma, bleeding inside the brain, seizures and infection. Some of these may be fatal. Once implanted, the system may become infected, parts may wear through your skin, and the lead or lead/extension connector may move. Medtronic DBS Therapy could stop suddenly because of mechanical or electrical problems. Any of these situations may require additional surgery or cause your symptoms to return.

Talk to your doctor about the risks that may be applicable to your specific situation.

How Long Is the Hospital Stay?

Your doctor will decide the length of your hospital stay, but patients usually go home a few days after surgery. Your doctor or nurse will give you and your caregiver instructions for care at home.

How Long Does It Take to Heal?

It can take several weeks to heal after the procedure. You will feel some discomfort and/or pain at the incision sites that can be managed with pain medication. Always follow your doctor's instructions for taking any medication. If you notice unusual symptoms, contact your doctor.

When Can I Resume Normal Activities?

For the first few weeks after surgery, you should avoid strenuous activity, arm movements over your shoulder, and excessive stretching of your neck. You may gradually want to try activities that were difficult before your surgery. Talk about this with your doctor first, and be sure to follow all of your doctor's instructions.

When Is the DBS Therapy System Turned on?

Your doctor will decide when to turn on your neurostimulator. It's usually turned on after healing is complete.

Will I See a Difference Right Away?

Patients with tremor may feel a brief tingling sensation, and relief from symptoms is usually seen almost immediately. However, results vary among patients.

Patients with other symptoms of Parkinson's disease often do not feel any sensation, and the full effect of the therapy may not be immediate.

You'll see the best results after the system has been fine-tuned for your specific symptom control needs. It may take several months after the procedure to reach maximum effect. Visits to your clinic for initial programming after surgery and periodic adjustments are a routine part of DBS Therapy.

Next: Programming the System