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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Intra-Operative Behavioral Tasks in Awake Humans Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
Published on: January 6, 2011
Perioperative events during deep brain stimulation: the experience at cleveland clinic
Reem Khatib1, Zeyd Ebrahim, Ali Rezai
1Department of General Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Background:
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the basal ganglia is an evolving technique for managing intractable movement disorders such as those due to Parkinson disease. We conducted a retrospective review of the DBS procedures that have been performed at our institution to determine the frequency and types complications that occurred.
Methods:
After Institutional Review Board approval, 258 procedures involving 250 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate analysis using the chi test for the categorical variables and a t-test for the continuous variables was performed on patients with and without complications to determine potential risk factors.
Results:
The most common anesthesia technique used for DBS procedures was monitored anesthesia care using a propofol infusion during the early part of the case. Airway, respiratory, neurologic, and psychologic/psychiatric complications occurred. Age was found to be an independent risk factor for complications during DBS.
Conclusion:
This retrospective study demonstrates that age is an independent risk factor for complications during DBS procedures. Monitored anesthesia care using propofol seems to be a safe technique for DBS procedures; however, dexmedetomidine can also be used.
