Neurosurgeon Dr Raymond Cook, Neurologist Dr Paul Silberstein and the Sydney DBS team recently completed their 500th Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery and this milestone has been documented in a video produced by North Shore Private Hospital.
The Sydney DBS team, who have worked together for 14 years at North Shore Private Hospital, have been a key group in the renaissance of Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorder surgery in Australia, and continue as the most experienced DBS team in NSW.
DBS involves the placement of stimulating electrodes in specific deep brain targets by a neurosurgical team. These wires are routed under the skin to an implanted battery, placed in the chest or abdominal wall. The battery produces a continuous impulse to the brain and provides 24 hour therapy to alleviate symptoms.
In Parkinson’s disease, DBS improves consistency of symptom control when this cannot be achieved with medication, reduces excessive movement (dyskinesia), facilitates a reduction in drug therapy and improves quality of life. DBS is also effective in substantially reducing symptoms in a number of other medication refractory Movement Disorders including Tremor syndromes, Dystonia and Tic disorders.
Successful therapy requires high surgical accuracy. The Sydney DBS team uses state of the art surgical equipment, carefully selected and sourced from international suppliers, and takes pride in surgical precision, high efficacy and a low complication rate. Excellent post-operative care is provided in the North Shore Private Intensive Care Unit and Neurosurgery ward.
