Deep Brain Stimulation: An Overview of The Neurosurgical Procedure

Photo of author
Written By Berry Mathew

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical technique that entails the placement of electrodes in particular areas of the brain. It is used to treat a wide range of neurological symptoms that may be debilitating. The procedure of deep brain stimulation can be opted for treating several neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Essential tremor, Dystonia, Epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and chronic pain. Deep brain stimulation uses a neurostimulator, also known as a deep brain stimulator, to provide electrical stimulation to movement-controlling regions of the brain. 

The electrical signals that trigger tremors and other Parkinson’s disease symptoms are interfered with and blocked by the deep brain stimulator’s impulse. The thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, and globus pallidus are the most commonly targeted areas. The procedure of deep brain stimulation has a long history of the study. 

Deep brain stimulation therapy for critical tremors and Parkinson’s disease was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 after it was first introduced in 1987.

While deep brain stimulation is successful in the majority of cases, it has the potential to cause serious complications and side effects. This is the primary reason why deep brain stimulation is targeted for patients whose symptoms have not been adequately treated by medications.

Benefits of deep brain stimulation surgery.

Surgical procedures that are more efficient and safer than ablative (tissue removal) procedures have been proven.

Since conventional surgery requires removing small sections of the brain, DBS does not have as many long-term complications as traditional surgery.

The electrical stimulation can be adjusted according to the patient’s disease response to medication changes.

Dbs is reversible, allowing for alternate surgical methods in the future. It can also be turned off at any time if it is causing unusual side effects.

Deep brain stimulation systems are designed in such a way that an MRI head scan can be performed safely.

Recovery from deep brain stimulation treatment

Patients are usually admitted to the hospital before the incision-related discomfort they can eat, drink, and exercise. Patients are usually only expected to stay in the hospital for one night after surgery, although certain patients may be recommended to stay for at least two nights depending on the conditions of a patient. 

Until the wound has healed properly, the patient would be unable to wash or wet the skin around the incision. Deep brain stimulation programming occurs 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, and it is at this point that the treatment’s full effects can be noticed.

Read Also: Why Hiring Outsourced Talent Is Important For Businesses Today?

The best destination for DBS surgery 

Turkey has been one of the fastest-growing medical tourism destinations in the last decade. In comparison to other western countries, Turkey offers deep brain surgery at a very affordable cost. The average DBS surgery price in Turkey is USD 35,000, the rest another factor that can vary the prices depending on the condition of the patient and medical facilities.

Turkey’s hospitals offer health benefits. If a patient has a foreign health insurance plan, make sure the hospital knows about it. Patients can consult with their insurance provider in their home country to see if the treatment they want is covered in a Turkish hospital. Below mentioned are the best hospitals for DBS surgery in turkey.

  • Memorial Sisli Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Hizmet Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Liv Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Memorial Kayseri Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
  • Anadolu Medical Center, Kocaeli, Turkey

Read Also: Hipster Yoga at the End of the World

Why medigence?

MediGence’s telemedicine makes critical care accessible by allowing patients and their families to have video consultations with world-renowned surgeons in only a few easy steps. These consultations are carried out on our platform confidentially, and healthcare records and relevant patient data is secured with our robust HIPAA compliant servers. Thus, confidential information about patients cannot be viewed by anybody other than the patients themselves. 

It covers everything from getting a second opinion to confirming a diagnosis to gaining faith in your treating doctors. Enabling better healthcare decision with:-

Vision – To use technology to create a revolution in the medical travel industry, making medical travel the most unforgettable experience for anyone who needs to travel abroad for medical care.

Mission – Empower people to make the best healthcare decisions possible with the help of technology to improve the patient experience.