Patients' Perioperative Experience of Awake Deep-Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease.

BACKGROUND: Awake craniotomy for tumor resection and epilepsy surgery is a well-tolerated procedure. Qualitative data on patients' experience of awake deep-brain stimulation (DBS) are, however, lacking. We collected qualitative data on patients' experience of awake DBS with a view to identifying areas for improvement.

METHODS: Forty-one patients undergoing DBS for Parkinson disease between 2009 and 2015 were surveyed with a structured questionnaire designed to receive patient feedback regarding perioperative management of the awake stage of the procedure.

RESULTS: More than 90% of patients felt well-informed. Most remembered the procedure, and almost all were happy that they did. One half of the patients experienced pain, often significant, during the procedure. This mainly occurred during burr-hole drilling and stereotactic frame placement.

CONCLUSIONS: Although awake DBS is well-tolerated, pain and off-period symptoms are an issue for a significant number of patients. Efforts should be made to minimize these unpleasant aspects of awake DBS.