Philipp Krauss, P. Duarte-Batista, M. G. Hart, J. M. Avecillas-Chasin, M. M. Bercu, V. Hvingelby, F. Massey, L. Ackermans, P. L. Kubben, N. A. van der Gaag, M. T. Krüger, Olaf E. M. G. Schijns, Tom Theys, Dirk van Roost, Daniel Delev, Kostas Fountas, Karl Rössler, Antonio Goncalves Ferreira, Tipu Aziz, Francois Alesch, Yaroslav Parpaley, Ersoy Kocabicak, Andrey Sitnikov, Oystein Tveiten, Marec von Lehe
- Introduction
Directional Leads (dLeads) represent a new technical tool in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), and a rapidly growing population of patients receive dLeads.
Research question
The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies(EANS) functional neurosurgery Task Force on dLeads conducted a survey of DBS specialists in Europe to evaluate their use, applications, advantages, and disadvantages.
Material and methods
EANS functional neurosurgery and European Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ESSFN) members were asked to complete an online survey with 50 multiple-choice and open questions on their use of dLeads in clinical practice.
Results
Forty-nine respondents from 16 countries participated in the survey (n = 38 neurosurgeons, n = 8 neurologists, n = 3 DBS nurses). Five had not used dLeads. All users reported that dLeads provided an advantage (n = 23 minor, n = 21 major). Most surgeons (n = 35) stated that trajectory planning does not differ whenIntroduction
Directional Leads (dLeads) represent a new technical tool in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), and a rapidly growing population of patients receive dLeads.
Research question
The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies(EANS) functional neurosurgery Task Force on dLeads conducted a survey of DBS specialists in Europe to evaluate their use, applications, advantages, and disadvantages.
Material and methods
EANS functional neurosurgery and European Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ESSFN) members were asked to complete an online survey with 50 multiple-choice and open questions on their use of dLeads in clinical practice.
Results
Forty-nine respondents from 16 countries participated in the survey (n = 38 neurosurgeons, n = 8 neurologists, n = 3 DBS nurses). Five had not used dLeads. All users reported that dLeads provided an advantage (n = 23 minor, n = 21 major). Most surgeons (n = 35) stated that trajectory planning does not differ when implanting dLeads or conventional leads. Most respondents selected dLeads for the ability to optimize stimulation parameters (n = 41). However, the majority (n = 24), regarded time-consuming programming as the main disadvantage of this technology. Innovations that were highly valued by most participants included full 3T MRI compatibility, remote programming, and closed loop technology.
Discussion and conclusion
Directional leads are widely used by European DBS specialists. Despite challenges with programming time, users report that dLeads have had a positive impact and maintain an optimistic view of future technological advances.…
