Stereotactic surgery

The achievements of the leading neurosurgeons of the country in the different fields of stereotactic surgery over the past decade or so have been commendable. With the use of technical advancements in science, some of the doctors have given relief to over thousands of patients suffering from disease like Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, and many more. Helping to control neurological disorders concerning abnormal movements, spasticity, intractable pain, psychological phenomena, and sedative and functional neurosurgery, minimally invasive surgeries provide a sigh of relief for those who do not respond well to medication or other therapies.

Stereotactic surgery is also referred to as stereotaxy by some. In addition to being used for ablation, injection, lesion, biopsy, stimulation and radiosurgery, it is also one of the best methods for implantation of chronic indwelling electrodes to alleviate Parkinsonism symptoms and give effective pain relief. This surgery may be most useful for patients who have motor fluctuations and dyskinesia, which cannot be adequately managed by prescribed medication and complimentary therapies. The type of stereotactic surgery used in such cases is known as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). The specialty of such a surgery is that the imaging data are correlated to a 3 dimensional space, which allows the surgeon to reach a target deep within the brain of the patient with minimal trauma and disturbance to other areas of the brain.

There are quite a few advantages of having deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson's disease, Tourette syndrome, major depression, chronic pain, obsessive compulsive disorders, and the like. One of the marked advantages is that there is no risk from general anesthesia involved. The patient is awake during the operation so that the surgeon can closely monitor the neurologic functioning throughout the procedure. Another benefit is that the incision is not big; meaning the opening in the skull bone is small. While this surgery may be the best option available for your condition, it is best to first consult a reputable doctor and neurosurgeon before taking a decision. As with most surgeries, there are some risks involved. These include possibility of an infection, hemorrhage from the procedure, worsening of your neurological status, cognitive dysfunction, apathy, and hallucinations. The good new is that the DBS surgery is completely reversible.

When considering a DBS surgery or any other stereotactic surgery it is most important to select a doctor that holds expertise in the field. This will not only help you feel secure and confident about the procedure, but also make sure that your family is comfortable with you having such a surgery. There are a number of exceptional doctors in India that specialize in such operations. You can also find a few helpful websites or listing online, if need be.