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Complications with surgery or a DBS device are rare but can happen . Potential risks include :
+ Infection Infection occurs in about three to five percent of surgeries . If this happens , it ’ s most commonly around the battery . Less commonly it ’ s in the scalp or brain . To avoid infection , keep incisions clean and dry and avoid touching , scratching or rubbing them . You can usually shower a few days after surgery , using soap around , but not directly on , the wound . You can let water drip over the wound but you should not submerge or soak it in water or a bath . Watch for swelling , redness , pain and fever . Treatment for infection may include removal of the battery , intravenous ( IV ) antibiotics and , once infection clears , insertion of a new battery . If infection doesn ’ t spread or start in the brain , leads can stay in place . If the brain is involved , leads may need to be removed and later reimplanted .
+ Bleeding Bleeding can happen in the brain or around the battery . Brain bleeding occurs in one to three percent of surgeries . If it occurs , it ’ s most likely during or right after surgery , and it ’ s seen on the CT scan done immediately following surgery . Bleeding is usually minor and resolves on its own . If it ’ s more significant , it could cause weakness , language problems or a seizure . Treatment ranges from observation to an operation to remove blood . It depends on where and how big the bleed is and what , if any , symptoms it causes .
+ Suboptimal lead placement Occasionally , a brain lead is positioned outside the intended location , or it moves , or “ migrates ,” from its precise target . Sometimes , the programmer can overcome this by directing stimulation to adequately control symptoms . But if this is not possible or causes too many side effects , you may need surgery to adjust the brain lead or place a new one . While not always necessary , a second opinion or input from other DBS experts may be helpful in these situations .
+ Lead break or disconnection Over time , a lead may break , or fracture , or detach from the battery . While this is more likely with specific activities that involve sudden turning , bending or twisting of the neck , it might happen without warning . You might discover this when , suddenly , symptoms return out of the blue or DBS stops working . Or , you might feel electrical shocks , which stop when the neurostimulator is turned off . If this happens , contact your DBS team immediately . They ’ ll test the device and order x-rays or other imaging . Treatment may include replacement of the brain wire , extension wire and / or battery .
+ Battery migration Some people may experience slight movement of the battery over time . The battery could rotate or flip in place or gradually move sideways . If you notice a change in where or how the battery sits , contact your doctor immediately . Treatment may include a procedure to reposition and tighten the battery in place .
Potential Complications
Bleeding in the space around the battery , in the chest or abdomen , happens in three to five percent of surgeries . This would be most likely in the days or weeks following battery placement and would show up as swelling or a bubble under the skin , bruising or increased pain . Treatment may include a tight pressure bandage or , occasionally , opening the space to drain blood .
+ Skin breakdown Sometimes , the skin over the leads in the scalp , the extension wires in the neck or the battery in the chest can break down . This is called “ skin erosion .” It ’ s more common in very thin people . When the skin breaks down , small portions of the hardware are exposed , increasing infection risk . Treatment may require repair or replacement of one or more pieces plus antibiotics .