Technical Note: Preemptive Surgical Revision of Impending Deep Brain Stimulation Hardware Erosion

While deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a relatively safe procedure, skin erosion is a commonly reported hardware complication that can threaten the DBS system. Patients with Parkinson disease are especially at risk for this complication due to their autonomic dysregulation and impaired nutrition. Early detection of impending skin erosion allows for intervention that may prevent hardware destruction. Here we report a novel technique to address this complication preemptively. We describe the use of an acellular dermal matrix to prevent skin erosion in 20 patients with Parkinson disease who were treated with DBS and showed signs of impending skin erosion.

Twenty patients with signs of impending hardware erosion were identified. An acellular dermal matrix was surgically placed under the at-risk skin overlying the DBS lead.

None of the 20 patients treated with this technique went on to require further revision surgery or removal of hardware.

Surgical placement of acellular dermal matrix in patients identified as having impending hardware erosions is a safe and cost-effective way to prevent hardware complications.