Information About the Field of Functional neurosurgery
What is Functional Neurosurgery in Germany and Anywhere?
Functional neurosurgery in Germany and everywhere else is a relatively young special branch of neurology. German neurologists as well as all other neurosurgeons treat a disturbed or diseased nervous system surgically if it does not respond adequately to medication. During this small brain surgery, the neurological surgeon places an electrode near the corresponding nerve cells in the body. The implanted electrode electrically stimulates nerve cells as needed to relieve symptoms.
Which Diseases Treat Neurologists or Neurosurgeons?
To mention in first place, neurologists or neurosurgeons do not treat or cure the illness itself. Instead, they alleviate the symptoms. Neurology doctors can perform neurosurgical therapy with the following afflictions:
- Parkinson's disease
- Epilepsy
- Pain syndromes
How Are Neurological Disorders Handled?
Depending on the neurological disorders, neurologists and neurosurgeons apply different surgical techniques. One very common therapy today is deep brain stimulation.
In this surgical procedure, the surgeon gains access to the patient's brain by drilling small holes and placing very precise small electrodes in the areas responsible for the clinical symptoms. The electrodes are connected to a device similar to a pacemaker and permanently send electrical stimuli to the nerve cells and thus, relieving the symptoms. Ideally, the procedure takes place under local anesthesia which allows immediate success control.
Deep brain stimulation is primarily used for tremors (muscle tremors). The disease can appear isolated or as a symptom of a neurological disorder such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. Whether this method can also alleviate depression is currently under investigation.
Pain disorders can be treated in a very similar way. Here, however, spine surgeons insert the electrode into the nerve canal of the spinal cord. The electrical stimulation of the nerve cells prevents the transmission of the pain to the conscious perception.
An exception to this treatment is trigeminal neuralgia, a pain disorder affecting the face. In this case, the diseased nerve is not stimulated but intentionally destroyed by radiation, heat or medication.
Patients suffering from epilepsy can be helped with the so-called vagus nerve stimulation. The vagus nerve controls many processes of the internal organs. If this nerve is electrically stimulated (the procedure is similar to the treatment of pain disorders), the impulses are forwarded to the brain. The affected areas are inhibited and seizures are alleviated.
Risks of Functional Neurosurgery
Risks and side effects of functional neurosurgery are considered very low. In particular, serious complications from damage to one or more nerves are extremely rare. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of minor bleeding and infection as well as pain at the affected area. However, these are, if occurring, generally easily treatable. In the vast majority of cases, the increased quality of life more than offsets these unlikely risks.