Reuse of Internal Pulse Generator in Cases of Infection after Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Abstract

Background: Hardware-related infection after deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the most serious complications and may need additional interventions. Objectives: To reuse the internal pulse generator (IPG) after DBS infection and to reduce the economic costs. Methods: A database of 102 patients who underwent DBS surgery was used in the study. The incidence, clinical characteristics and management of infections while reusing the IPG after DBS-related infection were analyzed and reported. Results: The overall infection rate was 5.9% (6 of 102 patients). Management consisted of total hardware removal followed by intravenous antibiotics. The IPG was at first kept in a solution, then rinsed with water and dried following sterilization with ethylene oxide gas at 38°C for 18 h. When the treatment of the infection was finished, we reused the IPG and reimplanted the DBS. No hardware-related infection or other complications were observed after reimplantation. Conclusions: Management of hardware-related infections can be challenging. The medical and economic costs associated with these infections are enormous. The IPG can often be saved in infected patients. Thus, a significant cost burden is eliminated. Properly executed, reuse of IPG should markedly reduce the costs of these devices.