gms | German Medical Science

63rd Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)
Joint Meeting with the Japanese Neurosurgical Society (JNS)

German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)

13 - 16 June 2012, Leipzig

Surgical complications of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery (DBS)

Meeting Abstract

  • D. Falk - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
  • D. Mussavi - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
  • N. Warneke - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
  • U.K. Krause-Titz - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
  • M. Mahvash - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
  • H.M. Mehdorn - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Japanische Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 63. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC), Joint Meeting mit der Japanischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (JNS). Leipzig, 13.-16.06.2012. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2012. DocDO.04.11

doi: 10.3205/12dgnc056, urn:nbn:de:0183-12dgnc0562

Published: June 4, 2012

© 2012 Falk et al.
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Outline

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Objective: Despite optimal neurosurgical care for patients undergoing DBS and excellent clinical results, a number of complications need to be dealt with. Therefore the identification of risk factors and especially prone patient groups is essential.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed risk factors like preexisting disorders and complications in all patients, who had consecutively undergone DBS in our department from the first surgical procedure in 1999 until now.

Results: Looking at the perioperative complications of the 612 patients (age 5 to 83 years, mean age 55,8 years), hemorrhage occurred in 15 patients, 10 of which were asymptomatic, 2 had a transient and 1 a permanent hemiparesis and 2 patients died. 6 postoperative MRI-scans showed local infarction, in one case with a transient hemiparesis. 2 patients died due to unrelated complications. Two dislocated electrodes had to be revised. The overall the perioperative complication rate was 4,4% with a permanent morbidity of 0,3% and a mortality of 0,6%. As late onset complications, skin complications appeared in 19 patients (3,2%, 1 to 48 months after surgery), painful scaring or dislocation of the generator in 20 patients, 3 patients had to be revised due to defects of the hardware. No single risk factors for hemorrhage or skin complications could be found.

Conclusions: Overall DBS is a safe surgical procedure with an acceptable complication rate. Skin and hardware related complications are the major long-term problem following DBS. Long-term teaching and surgical contact with the patients helps to avoid complications early. No special risk factors could be detected. Therefore the indication for surgery and the benefit/risk consideration needs individual evaluation.