Surgery for Parkinson's Disease

Several years ago, surgery for Parkinson's disease was the common practice for alleviating the symptoms in sufferers of the condition in the absence of any other particularly effective treatments or medications for those with severe symptoms.  However, since the availability of the drug levodopa, surgery has been the reserve of a minority of serious, more advanced cases.  Surgery is today used primarily for patients in the later stages of the condition who lack any apparent responsiveness to the medication and treatment they have undergone, and are faced with extreme symptoms which make their lives unbearable. Nowadays, it is usually only these drastic circumstances which will lead a physician to recommend surgery.

Particularly effective in stopping tremors, the operation, known as a cryothalamotomy involves the insertion of a metal tip which has been cooled to extremely low temperatures, which serves to destroy the area of the brain responsible for causing the tremors in patients.  This procedure, however now on the increase, and isn becoming more popular for patients suffering from extreme tremor, or suffering from the symptoms of the disease largely in only one side of their body.  Other procedures available involve the removal or the cutting of parts of the brain to block or cease the processes which give rise to the symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia, and again are highly effective, if not high risk. 

With constant advances in technology, and advancements in knowledge of the condition, surgical methods are constantly subject to revision.  At present, these high risk surgical procedures demand a high level of surgical skill and dexterity, as well as extreme care and attention, as any error could have devastating consequences for the patient. It is hoped that in future, current research into the implant of new nerve cells into the brain will come to fruition, and uncover some other form of treatment or perhaps a cure for this utterly debilitating and frustrating disease.  It is hoped that this procedure could at least supplement the production of the chemical dopamine within the brain, which would go some way to ensuring smoother movement and less rigidity in some patients with Parkinson's Disease.

As with any surgical procedure, surgery for Parkinson's disease carries an element of risk and complication.  Even a minor error could result in severe brain damage, or render the patients in a permanent vegetative state.  It is important that today, surgery is only considered as a last resort, or a viable option for patients in the very late stages of the disease, and should only be attempted after all available medications and treatments have been exhausted.  Prior to surgery, it is important for patients and their families to meet with the surgeon and discuss the procedure.  At this stage, you should ask about the potential complications and risks and make sure everyone involved is fully aware of the nature of the surgery and the realistic outcomes.   It is important to alleviate or air any fears or concerns which may be present at this stage, and the physician will discuss the procedure in depth before the decision whether to consent or refuse consent is required.