Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: experience, benefits and limitations in a center in Latin America

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is poorly studied in Colombia. It is pharmacologically managed, but for refractory cases, surgery is a therapeutic option, positively impacting on quality of life. To determine the impact of deep brain stimulation as management in the control of progression in patients with Parkinson's disease attended our institution between the years 2014 to 2020. Descriptive retrospective study, with patients collected between 2014 and 2020 undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery. The MDS-UPDRS (Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) was applied in the pre- and postoperative period, and the results were compared. 21 patients were included and the UPDRS was applied, finding a decrease in scores in the postoperative period. One patient had an operative site infection. There was an improvement in the MDS-UPDRS score, with a low rate of complications. The procedure time was prolonged from the preoperative evaluation. Deep brain stimulation is the management of choice for refractory Parkinson's disease. The patients in this series showed improvement in their symptoms. Unfortunately, there are limitations to perform this procedure in Colombia, such as the delay in the authorization of the procedure.