Automated neurosurgery for deep brain stimulation: Presentation held at International Disabled People's Day; Healthy Children - Healthy Europe, 15th-17th March 2018, Zgorzelec

Abstract

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a reliable method in the treatment of motional disorders, e.g., Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD). DBS is technically based on stereotaxy. The Starfix®-platform is a new type of stereotactic frame that allows for an individualized and patient-optimized therapeutic regimen in IPD. Objectives: The aim of this study is to retrospectively compare the outcomes of IPD patients that underwent surgery with the use of conventional stereotactic frames (31 patients) to those that underwent implantation of DBS with the use of Starfix® frames (29 patients). Material and methods: Surgery time, UPDRS/ III, L-dopa and L-dopa equivalent dose (LED) were compared prior to surgery as well as 4weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and one year post-operatively. Results: IPD-related symptoms improved significantly in both groups, concerning the UPDRS/III (conventional 69.5% vs.72.4% Starfix®). After surgery, a significant reduction of L-dopa and LED was seen in both groups. Inherent advantages of the Starfix®-platform include simultaneous positioning of the stimulating electrodes and a significant reduction in surgical time. Conclusions: In summary, both stereotactic procedures are reliably safe procedures for the placement of stimulating electrodes as well as the stimulation effect achieved. The logistical disconnection of pre-surgical planning and surgical therapy emphasizes the benefits of the individualized stereotactic procedure