RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Prevention of surgical site infections is critical in deep brain stimulation (DBS). In the present study, we tested the ability of a self-administered preoperative alcohol-based (70% ethyl alcohol) preparation to reduce the rate of postoperative infection after DBS surgery. METHODS: This Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review was conducted at our institution between January 2005 and October 2007 (mean follow-up, 23 months). The participants comprised a consecutive sample of 172 patients with movement disorders who underwent DBS surgery at our institution. Starting in January 2007, all patients were required to use the alcohol-based preparation. These patients (n = 48) were instructed to self-administer the wash on the night before surgery and the morning of surgery. Before this time, no self-administered wash was used (n = 122). RESULTS: There was no difference in preoperative skin cleansing between the 2 groups, and all patients received intravenous antibiotics immediately before and after surgery for 24 hours. We compared the rate of postoperative infection in the 2 groups and reviewed other possible factors underlying infection. We found 11 cases of infection (6.47%), all in the group without the preoperative antiseptic wash. The infection rate was 9.02% in the group without the preoperative wash and 0 in the group with the preoperative wash (P < .029). There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of mean age, duration of operative procedure, or number of microelectrode tracts attempted. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the incorporation of this self-administered antiseptic wash into our standard antiseptic protocol for patients undergoing DBS surgery.
Asunto(s)
Antiinfecciosos Locales/administración & dosificación , Estimulación Encefálica Profunda/efectos adversos , Cuidados Preoperatorios/métodos , Autoadministración/métodos , Infección de la Herida Quirúrgica/prevención & control , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: There continues to be debate about the surgical technique, electrophysiology, and hardware used in deep brain stimulation (DBS), despite its widespread use in medically intractable Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. This article is the first, to our knowledge, to compare the longevity of the available internal pulse generators (IPGs) of DBS (Kinetra and Soletra, Medtronics). METHODS: We compared the elapsed time from the initial surgery to the first replacement of IPGs in patients with bilateral Soletra IPGs to those with the unilateral Kinetra IPG and analyzed the various stimulation parameters of each device. RESULTS: The battery life of the Soletra system was significantly longer than that of the Kinetra and also allowed for higher voltages, longer use of monopolar mode, and a greater number of electrode contacts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support superior battery life and a greater capacity for titration to symptom control with bilateral Soletra IPGs.
Asunto(s)
Estimulación Encefálica Profunda/instrumentación , Neuroestimuladores Implantables/estadística & datos numéricos , Suministros de Energía Eléctrica/normas , Suministros de Energía Eléctrica/estadística & datos numéricos , Diseño de Equipo , Humanos , Neuroestimuladores Implantables/normas , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the treatment of choice for otherwise healthy patients with advanced Parkinson disease who are suffering from disabling dyskinesias and motor fluctuations related to dopaminergic therapy. As DBS is an elective procedure, it is essential to minimize the risk of morbidity. Further, precision in targeting deep brain structures is critical to optimize efficacy in controlling motor features. The authors have already established an operational checklist in an effort to minimize errors made during DBS surgery. Here, they set out to standardize a strict, step-by-step approach to the DBS surgery used at their institution, including preoperative evaluation, the day of surgery, and the postoperative course. They provide careful instruction on Leksell frame assembly and placement as well as the determination of indirect coordinates derived from MR images used to target deep brain structures. Detailed descriptions of the operative procedure are provided, outlining placement of the stereotactic arc as well as determination of the appropriate bur hole location, lead placement using electrophysiology, and placement of the internal pulse generator. The authors also include their approach to preventing postoperative morbidity. They believe that a strategic, step-by-step approach to DBS surgery combined with a standardized checklist will help to minimize operating room mistakes that can compromise targeting and increase the risk of complication.