Care of the patient with Parkinson's disease: surgical and nursing interventions

Parkinson's disease (PD), occurring in one million people with 50,000 new cases each year, is the most prevalent degenerative neurological disorder. With symptoms occurring insidiously and gradually, PD typically strikes in the sixth decade of life. Parkinsonian signs and symptoms include the classic combination of resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. The impact of the disease varies among individuals. Since the experiences of patients with Parkinson's disease are so varied and complex, nurses must play a pivotal role in their care. The quality of life of individuals with PD has changed dramatically since the advent of levodopa (L-Dopa) and other anti-Parkinson drugs. Recently autotransplantation of the adrenal medulla into the caudate nucleus, an investigational surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease, has been developed. Success with this procedure has been reported in two case studies. Autotransplantation is performed in several institutions in the United States. In this paper, the acute nursing care of individuals who have undergone autotransplantation, as well as short-term effects of the procedure on the lives of two patients and their families will be examined. This article addresses traditional medical treatment, physiology of movement and autotransplantation in addition to two case studies.