R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAR 1
Fortis Vadapalani has on Monday announced the launching of a dedicated Comprehensive Parkinson’s Disease and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Movement Disorder Center Clinic. A team of Neurosurgeons and Neurologists attached to this centre gave new lease of life to a 60-year old patient with severe Parkinson’s disease after 10-hour long Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery recently.
- A team of Neurosurgeons, Neurologists gives new lease of life to 60-year-old patient with severe Parkinson’s disease through DBS: Dr Vikash Agarwal
- One out of 100 people suffers from Parkinson’s disease in the world
- If the state and central government’s come forward to include this procedure under health insurance schemes, even poor people will get affordable treatment, say the doctors
Addressing the media, Dr Vikash Agarwal, Parkinson’s Disease and DBS Specialist said, “The patient was presented in a state of complete immobility and was non-responsive to medication. After carefully reviewing the case, the team of neurologists, Dr K Visvanathan, Senior Consultant Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgeon, Dr Shubha Subramanian, Consultant Neurologist and Dr K Sudhakar, Consultant Neurosurgeon, concluded that DBS would be the most effective treatment for his condition.’’
Under the guidance of Dr K Bhanu, HoD Neurology, the Fortis team led by Dr Vikash Agarwal successfully performed the 10-hour long surgery.
Dr Vikash Agarwal further said, “Deep Brain Stimulation is a boon for patients with severe Parkinson’s disease and those taking unacceptably high dosages of medicines. The patient, who is in his 60s, came to see us in a state of off dystonia, a drug-resistant form of Parkinson’s disease. The team completed the 10-hour long surgery and implanted the electrodes in the patient’s brain. The first challenge in such cases is that older adults typically have co-morbid conditions. Additionally, any kind of external implants to the body may cause bleeding and infection, both of which might lead to stroke. As assessing the patient’s brain response is necessary, the surgery must be carried out while the patient is awake. However, the success rate of DBS surgery is high when performed by qualified movement disorder specialists, neuro experts and with advanced medical technology. A successful operation will result in an almost 15-year extension of quality life in Parkinson’s patients in most cases.”
Dr Vikash Agarwal said one out of 100 people suffers from Parkinson’s disease in the world. The Neurosurgeons after carefully examining the patient’s history of the disease and will recommend for DBS only when they are eligible. Early stage of Parkinson’s disease and movement disorder did not require DBS, the surgery is necessary when they are drug resistant.
Vascular Parkinson’s disease
People may suffer from Vascular Parkinson’s disease if they are not following an active lifestyle such as regular exercise etc. It is going to be a silent pandemic in another 6 to 7 years if people fail to follow active lifestyle and routine exercises. Creating awareness on regular exercise and good lifestyle among the people is the need of the hour, Dr Agarwal added.
Replying to a query, the doctors said that the cost of the electrodes imported from a foreign country is costly, if the governments come forward to cut import duty and other taxes, the DBS procedure could be affordable to common man. They also said that right now, the DBS procedure is covered by the private health insurance and not covered under the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). If the state and central government’s come forward to include this procedure under these health insurance schemes, even poor people will get affordable treatment, the doctors opined.
DBS is a neurological technique that involves implanting hair-thin electrodes deep inside the brain to stimulate the brain and alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms.
Mr Venkata Phanidhar Nelluri, SBU Head, Fortis Hospitals, Chennai said “We are excited to launch Fortis’ Comprehensive Parkinson’s Disease and DBS Clinic, to provide cutting-edge treatment for movement disorders. The DBS Clinic would address Movement Disorders and empower patients to live a normal, self-sufficient life.”
“In Tamil Nadu, there are very few facilities dedicated to providing high end interventions for movement disorders. Our centre has the distinction of hosting a multidisciplinary team of Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Neuro Anaesthetists, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Pain Management Specialists, and Neuro Rehabilitation Specialists for providing Comprehensive DBS treatment. We have made conscious efforts to ensure that we provide DBS treatments at an affordable cost.”
