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ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION World Neurosurgery [2010] 73 (4) : 338-344 (F.Vergani, A.Landi, D.Pirillo, R.Cilia, A.Antonini, E.P.Sganzerla) Complete abstract Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is the most commonly used surgical means of treating Parkinson's Disease. It involves the use of electrodes that are implanted into the brain and connected to a small electrical device called a pulse generator that can be externally programmed. For more information go to Deep Brain Stimulation. Adverse events, due to surgical and hardware-related complications, must be clearly addressed to properly balance the cost- effectiveness of the therapy. In a large study of DBS surgical operations, the following percentages of patients experienced adverse events : surgical complications (5.6%), including hemorrhages (1.4%), and inabilities to complete the surgical procedure (2.1%). Medical delayed adverse events affected 1.4% of patients, with a patient having a fatal aspiration pneumonia. Infections were seen in 5.6% of patients. Removal of the hardware was necessary in 3.6%. Hardware-adverse events were observed in 7% of patients, generally requiring minor surgery. Direct surgical mortality was 0%. Overall mortality was 0.7%. Permanent surgical morbidity was 0.7%. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn