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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Intra-Operative Behavioral Tasks in Awake Humans Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
Published on: January 6, 2011
Long-term surgical and hardware-related complications of deep brain stimulation
1In-charge Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgical Program, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India. pareshkd@gmail.com
Objective:
To evaluate the incidence of surgical and hardware-associated complications of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for a range of movement disorders.
Methods:
The study design is a retrospective analysis and review of surgical and hardware complications of DBS performed by a single surgeon from 1999 to 2009. A total of 153 cases of DBS (298 electrodes) for various movement disorders and a minimum follow-up of 1 year have been included. Two patients could not be implanted. A further 54 patients who underwent change of the implantable pulse generator (IPG) have been included for analysis of hardware-related complications.
Results:
The mean follow-up was 64 ± 36.15 (range = 12-129) months for the DBS group. Twenty-four (15.6%) patients developed complications. Confusion occurred in 3.9%, vasovagal attack in 1.9%, lead migration/misplaced lead in 2.5%, erosion and infection in 4.5% and IPG malfunction occurred in 1.4% of the patients. When calculated with respect to the number of electrodes and IPG replacements, the complication rate was lower (11.9%). Three patients had their system explanted, two of them being patients with dystonia who had inadvertently damaged their operative site.
Conclusion:
DBS surgery is a relatively safe surgery, with most of the complications being minor, without long-term morbidity. The complication rate in elderly (age ≥65 years) is comparable to that in younger patients. However, confusion is more frequent in this age group, and patients and relatives can be prepared to accept this as a transient morbidity.
Insights
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for movement disorders is generally safe, with most complications being minor. Elderly patients may experience more confusion, which is typically transient.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapeutic option for various movement disorders.
- Understanding the risks associated with DBS surgery and hardware is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of surgical and hardware-related complications in deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedures.
- To assess the safety profile of DBS across different movement disorders.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 153 DBS cases (298 electrodes) and 54 implantable pulse generator (IPG) replacements.
- Minimum follow-up of 1 year for all included patients.
- Data collected from a single surgeon's practice between 1999 and 2009.
Main Results:
- A total of 15.6% of patients experienced complications, with rates lower when considering electrodes and IPG replacements (11.9%).
- Common complications included confusion (3.9%), erosion/infection (4.5%), and lead migration (2.5%).
- IPG malfunction occurred in 1.4% of cases; three systems were explanted.
Conclusions:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery demonstrates a relatively low complication rate, with most events being minor and without long-term effects.
- Complication rates in elderly patients (≥65 years) are comparable to younger individuals.
- Confusion is more prevalent in older patients but is generally a transient side effect.
