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George - I hope your friend who has chosen the pallidotomy has done her research before making her decision. The STN should take about four hours on the operating table, not 16-18, and she should be able to go home the next day, or at the latest the second day following surgery. As for the MRI, many people are claustrophobic and fear MRIs for that reason, but they can be sedated in advance and should be able to tolerate it well. You can tell her, too, that if she has DBS, she'll never have another MRI. They're apparently prohibited because the stimulator can be re-set or interfered with by the magnetic force of the MRI. I realize that she's the one making the decision, and that she may very well know the things that I've mentioned. I don't expect you to have to have researched the topic just because a friend is deciding which surgery to have. However, if she *does* think the STN is as you've described it, please *beg* her to do some more research. BTW, I realize you thought Dr. Chris spoke rather strongly, but you have to realize that when a doctor offers advice about a field he's very experienced in, it becomes more than just "opinion." He is in fact giving us the benefit (at no charge) of his years of experience. If he feels strongly about something, I for one very much appreciate his sharing that with us. We're all still free to make our own decisions, as you pointed out. I'm just grateful to have Dr. Chris on the list, and I can tell you that his opinions coincide, from what I can tell, with those of my husband's neurosurgeon, who has done more STN DBSs than anyone else in the US at this point. Margie Swindler cg for Dick, 54/17 >The second involves a 48ish womanwho also has 20 years of PD. The reason she chose a Pallidotomy was in part based on the fact that the average time on the operating room table was about an hour and 20 minutes and another hour plus for the MRI etc whereas the DBS takes, what 16-18 hours? And a weeks hospitalization. This woman is terrifed of the MRI, the plastic drapping and the surgery in general. So what does she do? I think she has made the correct decision for her. You haven't walked in my shoes so please be respectful. >>