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The generator is programmed to send continuous electrical pulses to your brain.
#Brain stem definition skin#
Wires from the brain electrodes are placed under your skin and guided down to the battery-operated pulse generator. General anesthesia is used during this procedure.
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During the second portion of the surgery, the surgeon implants the part of the device that contains the batteries (pulse generator) under the skin in your chest, near your collarbone. A wire runs under your skin to a pulse generator (neurostimulator) implanted near your collarbone.ĭuring surgery, both the neurologist and the surgeon carefully monitor your brain to help ensure correct electrode placement.Ĭhest wall surgery. Or one lead is implanted into each side of the brain (for a total of two leads). Your surgeon implants a thin wire lead with a number of contacts (electrodes) at the tips into a specific area of your brain. In some cases, surgery can be done under general anesthesia so that you'll be unconscious. If you're awake for surgery, you'll be given a local anesthetic to numb your scalp before the procedure, but you won't need an anesthetic in your brain itself because the brain has no pain receptors. This is to be sure the effects of stimulation can be tested fully. In most cases, the electrodes will be placed while you're awake and alert. Then, team members use neuroimaging (brain MRI or CT) to map your brain and identify the area in your brain where they'll place the electrodes. For the brain surgery portion, your care team fits you with a special head frame to keep your head still during the procedure (stereotactic head frame). In general, here's how surgery for deep brain stimulation works:īrain surgery. A wire that travels under the skin connects the device to the electrode.
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The amount of stimulation delivered by the electrode is controlled by a pacemaker-like device placed under the skin in the chest. What you can expect During the surgeryĭeep brain stimulation involves implanting an electrode deep within the brain. These studies help to map the areas of your brain that will have the electrodes implanted. You may also need brain-imaging studies, such as an MRI, before the surgery. Next, prepare for surgeryīefore surgery, you'll likely need medical tests to make sure that deep brain stimulation is a safe and appropriate option for you. Even if you might be eligible for deep brain stimulation, you and your doctors must carefully weigh the risks and potential benefits of the procedure. How you prepare First, weigh the pros and consĭeep brain stimulation is a serious and potentially risky procedure. Unwanted mood changes, such as anger and depression.Some settings may cause side effects, but these often improve with further adjustments of your device.īecause there have been infrequent reports that the DBS therapy affects the movements needed for swimming, the Food and Drug Administration recommends consulting with your doctor and taking water safety precautions before swimming. Temporary pain and swelling at the implantation siteĪ few weeks after the surgery, the device will be turned on and the process of finding the best settings for you begins.Hardware complications, such as an eroded lead wire.Side effects associated with deep brain stimulation may include: Surgery risksĭeep brain stimulation involves creating small holes in the skull to implant the electrodes into the brain tissue as well as performing surgery to implant the device that contains the batteries under the skin in the chest. Also, the brain stimulation itself can cause side effects. Although deep brain stimulation is generally considered to be low risk, any type of surgery has the risk of complications.
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