Rescuing Infected Deep Brain Stimulation Therapies in Severely Affected Patients

• DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121650
• Publication Date: 2023-11-28T11:45:35Z
• Authors: Thomas Fortmann; Samer Zawy Alsofy; Marc Lewitz; Antonio Santacroce; Heinz Welzel Saravia; Ioanna Sakellarop...; Eike Wilbers; Steffen Grabowski; Ralf Stroop; Zafer Cinibulak; Makoto Nakamura; Ralph Lehrke
• Keywords: Patient Care; Wound infection

(1) Background: Infections in deep brain stimulation (DBS) hardware, while an undesired complication of DBS surgeries, can be effectively addressed. Minor infections are typically treated with wound revision and IV antibiotics. However, when visible hardware infection occurs, most centers opt for complete removal, leaving the patient a preoperative state necessitating post-removal care. To avoid need such care, novel technique was developed. (2) Methods: The electrodes placed at exact same spot then led to contralateral side. new extensions generator as well. Subsequently, infected system is removed. This case series includes six patients. (3) Results: average duration implantation before second surgery 272 days. Only one had removed after 18 months due reoccurring infection; others remained unaffected. Laboratory alterations pathogens were identified only half (4) Conclusions: described surgical proves safe, well tolerated, serves viable alternative removal. Importantly, it prevents care