• Lars Timmermann, Michael Schüpbach, Frank Hertel, Elisabeth Wolf, Roberto Eleopra, Angelo Franzini, Domenico Servello, Inger-Marie Skogseid, Jordi Rumia, Antonio Salvador Aliaga, Michael T Barbe, K Amande M Pauls, Jean-Pierre Lin, Elena Moro, Andrew Lloyd, and Mohammad Maarouf.
• Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany. lars.timmermann@uk-koeln.de
• Eur. Neurol. 2013 Jan 1;69(4):193-9.

BackgroundDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is highly successful in treating Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia, and essential tremor (ET). Until recently implantable neurostimulators were nonrechargeable, battery-driven devices, with a lifetime of about 3-5 years. This relatively short duration causes problems for patients (e.g. programming and device-use limitations, unpredictable expiration, surgeries to replace depleted batteries). Additionally, these batteries (relatively large with considerable weight) may cause discomfort. To overcome these issues, the first rechargeable DBS device was introduced: smaller, lighter and intended to function for 9 years.MethodsOf 35 patients implanted with the rechargeable device, 21 (including 8 PD, 10 dystonia, 2 ET) were followed before and 3 months after surgery and completed a systematic survey of satisfaction with the rechargeable device.ResultsOverall patient satisfaction was high (83.3 ± 18.3). Dystonia patients tended to have lower satisfaction values for fit and comfort of the system than PD patients. Age was significantly negatively correlated with satisfaction regarding process of battery recharging.ConclusionsDystonia patients (generally high-energy consumption, severe problems at the DBS device end-of-life) are good, reliable candidates for a rechargeable DBS system. In PD, younger patients, without signs of dementia and good technical understanding, might have highest benefit.Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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