[Late results of stereotaxic surgery in parkinsonism]

The authors analyzed the long-term results of uni- and bilateral stereotaxic operations in 70 patients (38 males and 32 females) with idiopathic and postencephalitic parkinsonism aged 32 to 68 years at the time of examination. It was established that the effect of the first operation with regard to tremor and muscular rigidity did not depend on the side of surgical intervention. Noticeable difference was observed between the results of the first and the second operation in relation to their efficacy and sequel incidence. In cases of bilateral intervention, the second operation on the left hemisphere not infrequently caused persistent psychic and speech disorders as compared with operations on the right hemisphere. The longer the interval between operations and the younger the patients, the greater the possibility of compensation.