Microelectrode Recording for Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Patients with Advanced Parkinson’s Disease: Advantage or Loss of Time?

Özet

AIM: To investigate the effect of using microelectrode recording (MER) on the length of time required to carry out a deep brainstimulation (DBS) procedure of the subthalamic nucleus in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).MATERIAL and METHODS: The time required to include MER in the DBS operation was calculated for the first and second sidesin 24 patients with PD. The number of microelectrodes used on each trajectory for the first and second sides, and the percentageof permanent electrodes implanted on each trajectory for the first and second sides, were quantified.RESULTS: The average times taken to use MER were 23.4 ± 6.2 minutes, 17.4 ± 6.5 minutes, and 41.2 ± 6.3 minutes for the firstside, second side and total procedure, respectively. In 75% of patients, the permanent electrode was implanted at the plannedtarget site for the first side, and in 61% of patients for the second side.CONCLUSION: MER extends the time required to carry out the DBS procedure. However, during surgery, it provides real-timeinformation on the electrodes’ neurophysiological locations and helps the surgical team choose an alternative target if the plannedtarget does not produce satisfying results.