FAQ
The number of surgeries involved in DBS will depend on the individual patient and the judgment of their clinician. Many patients have two surgeries, with the first for placing electrodes in the brain, and the second for battery placement, generally in the chest. Other patients have only one surgery. Additional surgeries may also be required for battery replacement.
Clinicians typically require blood work as well as brain scans called computerized tomography (CT) scans. Specialized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are also typically needed prior to surgery.
Many clinicians now do not require head shaving, but talk to your clinician about their specific requirements.
The surgery can be performed either when the patient is awake or asleep, with different benefits to each option. For example, sometimes patients are asked to stay awake during surgery so the team can monitor the progress of the procedure. Your doctor will discuss the best plan for you.
Surgery for implanting electrodes usually lasts around 3-4 hours. If a second procedure is required to place the battery, this shorter procedure usually lasts 1-2 hours.
Electrodes are generally placed in an area of the brain called the globus pallidus interna (GPi). However, for a small group of patients, electrodes are placed in an area of the brain called the subthalamic nucleus (STN).
Electrodes may be placed on either one side of the brain (unilateral) or both sides of the brain (bilateral).
Most patients only need to stay one to two nights in the hospital.
While hospital policies differ, parents are typically allowed to be with their child while the child is recovering in the hospital after surgery.
The three major complications of DBS implantation are bleeding in the brain; infection to the brain leads, battery, or both; and misplacement of the leads, requiring revision surgery. While these complications are uncommon, you should discuss the potential risks with your doctor.
For the first few days after surgery, patients often feel very sore, in addition to experiencing some pain from the incision. Both soreness and pain can be alleviated with pain medication administered by your doctor.
DBS surgery involves stitches on the chest and head. There may be scarring on the scalp, which may prevent hair from growing back, but this is rare.
Common side effects for patients include feeling tired or fatigued, and some patients experience temporary brain swelling, which can cause headaches. Patients may also experience side effects from the medications used to help relieve pain after surgery.
Some families and caregivers report patients experiencing delayed response time to questions, feeling like they are in a ‘brain fog,’ and slowed processing of information. This is usually related to anesthesia usage and wears off within a few days. More serious side effects do sometimes occur, and should be discussed with your doctor.
Because every patient is unique, surgery recovery is different for everyone.
Some patients begin walking short distances on their own within months, using assistive devices like a wheelchair or crutches for longer distances. Other patients are able to carry out regular activities within a week, with some accommodations.
Full recovery from surgery can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. Some patients, for example, reported a recovery timeline of 9-10 months, while others began to see small improvements around 6 months. However, some caregivers reported that patients experienced a challenging recovery period lasting longer than a year.
After surgery, it's recommended that patients avoid submerging their incisions in water or lifting heavy objects for a few weeks. After about a month, patients are allowed to return to their lives as usual. It may be the case that contact sports that could impact the patient’s battery should be avoided.
