Deep brain stimulation surgery begins at LGH

LAHORE: The Neurosurgeons at Lahore General Hospital (LGH) have started successfully conducting ‘ Deep Brain Stimulation’ (DBS) surgery of Parkinson’s patients.
According to a press release issued here Sunday, the DBS is said to be a rare procedure not available in any other public sector hospital of the country. The LGH doctors performed successful surgeries using the technique while many patients are under treatment.
The DBS is a neurosurgery procedure involving the implantation of a medical device called a ‘brain pacemaker’, which sends electrical impulses through implanted electrodes to specific parts of brain (brain nucleus) for the treatment of movement and effective disorders.
Young Neurosurgeon Dr Khalid Mahmood of LGH, who got special training from US and UK, conducted these DBS operations, said nine more patients hailing from Karachi, Islamabad and South Punjab were under treatment and their surgical operations would be completed before Eid-ul-Fitr. He said this kind of operation is usually complicated and requires specific training to conduct it while it takes seven to nine hours to complete a surgical operation.
Answering a question, he said mostly patients belonging to Middle East and Saudi Arabia were being operated in Pakistan and this was a good news for the local patients, who earlier used to visit abroad for programming after every three or four months, could also avail this facility now in Pakistan which would save their money, energy and time.
Expressing grave concern over the increasing number of patients with Parkinson’s in Pakistan, he said that treatment could help relieve symptoms and slow progress of the chronic debilitating disease to help individuals live a better life. “Though the disease can affect anyone, it usually emerges in people over the age of 60. The diagnosis is based on medical history and a methodical neurological examination as the symptoms of the disease can be caused by other neurological problems, head trauma and even medication,” he added. Prof Khalid Mahmood said that symptoms of Parkinson’s include shaking of legs, arms and hands and patients felt stress in their legs. In its acute form, it became difficult for patients to keep their head still, he said, adding that such patients become dependent for the rest of their life.
He said although the treatment was very expensive in Pakistan, as it cost Rs2 million, this cost was only 20pc of expenses in foreign countries. He said Shakeel Ahmed, a resident of Sheikhupura, underwent DBS surgery for which funds were provided by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Explaining the process of DBS operation, he said very delicate electrodes connected with a battery were installed in small holes drilled on both sides of the head of a patient. “The battery is placed under the skin in the chest of the patient which works like a heart pacemaker,” he said.