The final stage of the operation involves the attachment of the fixed brain electrodes to the stimulator battery via a connector wire, and then implantation of the battery in the chest or abdominal wall. Sydney DBS performs this stage of the surgery under a general anaesthetic.
The patient is positioned on the operating table to facilitate the passage of the connector wire to the chest or abdominal wall. The connector lead is tracked under the skin of the right side of the neck and then attached to the brain electrodes just above and behind the right ear.
The connector lead is tracked under the skin of the right side of the neck and then attached to the brain electrodes just above and behind the right ear.
The stimulator battery is then attached to the connector wire and then implanted under the skin of the chest or abdomen and the wound closed (below).
The images below show examples of the chest and abdominal wounds.
After surgery, the patient is transferred to the intensive care unit for overnight observation. A cerebral CT scan is performed post operatively as a routine. Dr Silberstein adjusts Parkinson’s medication. In most patients, stimulation is commenced on the evening following surgery. Patients are transferred to the Neurosurgical Ward the following morning. Most patients are ambulant within 24-48 hours of surgery, depending on pre-surgical status.