gms | German Medical Science

68th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)
7th Joint Meeting with the British Neurosurgical Society (SBNS)

German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)

14 - 17 May 2017, Magdeburg

Article

Send article

Rechargeable pacemaker technology in deep brain stimulation: a step forward, but nor for everyone

Meeting Abstract

Search Medline for

  • Joachim Runge - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Neurochirurgische Klinik, Hannover, Deutschland
  • Andreas Wloch - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Neurochirurgische Klinik, Hannover, Deutschland
  • Mahmoud Abdallat - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Neurochirurgische Klinik, Hannover, Deutschland
  • Assel Saryyeva - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Neurochirurgische Klinik, Hannover, Deutschland
  • Joachim K. Krauss - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Neurochirurgische Klinik, Hannover, Deutschland

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Society of British Neurological Surgeons. 68. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC), 7. Joint Meeting mit der Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS). Magdeburg, 14.-17.05.2017. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. DocP 154

doi: 10.3205/17dgnc717, urn:nbn:de:0183-17dgnc7174

Published: June 9, 2017

© 2017 Runge et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Outline

Text

Objective: Since a few years rechargeable pacemaker technology is available in deep brain stimulation. This technical innovation becomes more and more important in clinical practice, particularly for patients with a need for high energy delivery. Unforeseen handling issues, however, may compromise its use in certain patients.

Methods: Over a period of ten years, 360 patients underwent deep brain stimulation for various indications. Rechargeable pacemakers are increasingly used upon replacement after battery depletion. Despite meticulous screening for suitability, we had to switch battery to non-rechargeable technology because of unforeseen technical difficulties in two patients.

Methods: Over a period of ten years, 360 patients underwent deep brain stimulation for various indications. Rechargeable pacemakers are increasingly used upon replacement after battery depletion. Despite meticulous screening for suitability, we had to switch battery to non-rechargeable technology because of unforeseen technical difficulties in two patients.

Conclusion: Rechargeable pacemaker undoubtedly are a step forward in providing standard of care medical treatment. Many patients stand to benefit from rechargeable technology, smaller devices and fewer replacement operations. However, with new technology we also have new requirements concerning technical capabilities and compliance. Although removal of a rechargeable device before end of service of the battery and replacement with a non-rechargeable pacemaker poses an undue economic burden, it may be the only solution under certain circumstances to guarantee the benefit of chronic stimulation.