Perioperative considerations in a patient with implanted deep brain stimulator posted for elective shoulder surgery

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a procedure that is becoming increasingly common in the management of Parkinson's Disease (PD). DBS of the subthalamic nucleus and the palladium have been proven to provide excellent relief to symptoms of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias caused by advanced stage Parkinson's disease. As it significantly improves the quality of life of patients, it is inevitable that as anaesthesiologists we will encounter more patients who have DBS device in situ, posted for coincidental surgeries. So, it is important for us to understand the challenges in such cases. The management of such a case involves a multidisciplinary team with the anaesthesiologist, surgeon and the neurologist. Here we discuss the case of a middle aged person with a DBS device who underwent shoulder arthroscopy.