CASE REPORT   

Chirurgia 2020 October;33(5):263-4

DOI: 10.23736/S0394-9508.19.05013-7

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Surgical management of lung cancer in patient with deep brain stimulator: a challenge for safe hemostasis

Mohammed ABBAS ✉, Rebecca C. WEEDLE, Alan W. SOO

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland

Deep brain stimulators (DBS) are implantable devices used to treat movement disorders. Electrocautery may damage the device or surrounding tissues, such as chest wall or brain. This presents a challenge for haemostasis during surgery. We report a patient with DBS implanted for treatment of essential tremor, who underwent lung resection. Her device was switched off by her neurologist preoperatively. Tissue dissection was performed using Harmonic scalpel, which uses ultrasonic vibrations instead of electrocautery. Surgical management using Harmonic scalpel is a safe and feasible solution in patients with DBS.

KEY WORDS: Deep brain stimulation; Electrocoagulation; Hemostasis; Thoracic surgery