Is it safe to use electrosurgery for DBS patients?
EANS Academy. Giakoumettis D. 10/04/21; 339283; EP08004
Dr. Dimitrios Giakoumettis
Contributions
Contributions
Abstract
Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an approved method for controlling symptoms of movement disorders. It involves the placement of electrodes to specific targets in the brain and an implantable pulse generator (IPG). In 2001, a patient with DBS died when he received treatment with medical diathermy. Taking into consideration that the IPG resembles a pacemaker, most surgeons are reluctant to operate on a patient with DBS with or without switching off its effect. We present six cases with DBS that were operated on safely for a different reason.
Methods: A systematic search of the literature for the safety of electrosurgery on DBS patients was done. Two separate searches were performed. No filters were applied. Search terms used: i) Search 1 (DBS) AND (Thermal), ii) Search 2 (DBS) AND (Electrosurgery). Our experience adds to the literature six patients who were operated on using electrosurgery. For these patients, the impedance of the electrodes was checked before and after the operation.
Results: The search yielded 104 articles, of which only two articles were dealing with DBS patients and electrosurgery, whereas one article was experimental. The impedance of the electrodes of our patients was not affected post-operatively and the operations were performed safely without adverse events.
Conclusion: The fact that the impedance was not affected strongly support the safety of using electrosurgery on a DBS patient with an IPG.
Methods: A systematic search of the literature for the safety of electrosurgery on DBS patients was done. Two separate searches were performed. No filters were applied. Search terms used: i) Search 1 (DBS) AND (Thermal), ii) Search 2 (DBS) AND (Electrosurgery). Our experience adds to the literature six patients who were operated on using electrosurgery. For these patients, the impedance of the electrodes was checked before and after the operation.
Results: The search yielded 104 articles, of which only two articles were dealing with DBS patients and electrosurgery, whereas one article was experimental. The impedance of the electrodes of our patients was not affected post-operatively and the operations were performed safely without adverse events.
Conclusion: The fact that the impedance was not affected strongly support the safety of using electrosurgery on a DBS patient with an IPG.
Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an approved method for controlling symptoms of movement disorders. It involves the placement of electrodes to specific targets in the brain and an implantable pulse generator (IPG). In 2001, a patient with DBS died when he received treatment with medical diathermy. Taking into consideration that the IPG resembles a pacemaker, most surgeons are reluctant to operate on a patient with DBS with or without switching off its effect. We present six cases with DBS that were operated on safely for a different reason.
Methods: A systematic search of the literature for the safety of electrosurgery on DBS patients was done. Two separate searches were performed. No filters were applied. Search terms used: i) Search 1 (DBS) AND (Thermal), ii) Search 2 (DBS) AND (Electrosurgery). Our experience adds to the literature six patients who were operated on using electrosurgery. For these patients, the impedance of the electrodes was checked before and after the operation.
Results: The search yielded 104 articles, of which only two articles were dealing with DBS patients and electrosurgery, whereas one article was experimental. The impedance of the electrodes of our patients was not affected post-operatively and the operations were performed safely without adverse events.
Conclusion: The fact that the impedance was not affected strongly support the safety of using electrosurgery on a DBS patient with an IPG.
Methods: A systematic search of the literature for the safety of electrosurgery on DBS patients was done. Two separate searches were performed. No filters were applied. Search terms used: i) Search 1 (DBS) AND (Thermal), ii) Search 2 (DBS) AND (Electrosurgery). Our experience adds to the literature six patients who were operated on using electrosurgery. For these patients, the impedance of the electrodes was checked before and after the operation.
Results: The search yielded 104 articles, of which only two articles were dealing with DBS patients and electrosurgery, whereas one article was experimental. The impedance of the electrodes of our patients was not affected post-operatively and the operations were performed safely without adverse events.
Conclusion: The fact that the impedance was not affected strongly support the safety of using electrosurgery on a DBS patient with an IPG.
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