On July 18, the neurosurgery group at the Medical Center, led on this occasion by Dr. Bernardo Pérez, a specialist in neurosurgery at the Institution, performed deep brain stimulation on an international patient from Chile.
Santiago Aguirre, an approximately 65-year-old patient who suffers from muscular dystonia, a movement disorder in which muscles contract involuntarily and cause repetitive or twisting movements, says the specialist.
This disease affects different people in different ways, muscle contractions could:
- Start in a single area, such as the neck, arm, or leg.
- Occur during a specific action, such as when writing by hand.
- Worse with stress, fatigue, or anxiety.
- Increase and become noticeable over time.
Santiago Aguirre, an international patient at the Medical Center, affirms that in his search there was the option of performing the surgical intervention in the United States, a country where there is a group of recognized specialists, but he decided to travel to Cali, Colombia for the security that the Cali Medical Center.
He also recognizes that his limitations were increasing over time, his sports life was being affected by this disease that robbed him of security, independence and autonomy, since his movements increasingly controlled his muscles; and those involuntary passes separated him from his passions, sports; emphasizes the patient.
The Chilean triathlete underwent deep brain stimulation; suggested by Doctor Pérez, neurosurgeon at the Medical Center, who also states that the success of these surgical interventions is thanks to the personalization that can be provided to patients; decision-making is based on the extensive study of each patient, his pathology, personal and family history, and projection and adaptation to the new changes in his lifestyle; This meticulous check has allowed the development of hundreds of successful neurological interventions, offering the patient a personalized medicine; that with the support of a multidisciplinary team, it is possible to improve the quality of life of patients by up to 60%; clarifies doctor Bernardo Pérez, specialist of the institution.
Brain stimulation, a new lease on life
It begins with the fixation of the frame and an MRI in order to plan the course of the surgery and start; For approximately five hours the neurosurgery group implants electrodes into certain areas of the brain, these produce electrical impulses that regulate abnormal impulses.
Brain stimulation is controlled by a pacemaker-like device placed under the skin on the right side of the body between the shoulder and chest; a wire that runs under the skin connects this device to electrodes in the brain.
Our specialist assures that this procedure is approved for certain conditions such as dystonia, epilepsy and essential tremor; At the same time, the possibility of enhancing treatment for chronic pain, addictions, dementia and major depression is being studied.
The improvement process is presented and becomes evident according to each patient; Likewise, medical controls are coordinated, since Doctor Pérez assures that this new mechanism attached to the organism requires a disposition and attitude on the part of the patient; who should feel able to manage it and adjust the necessary doses transmitted through the device to control involuntary movements.
Today, Santiago Aguirre is in his country of residence, enjoying a new life and returning to his sports passions; grateful and excited by the positive changes reflected after the intervention.
Teamwork, experience, knowledge and technology allow for successful interventions; improve the quality of life of patients by offering different options for their treatment; Today the Medical Center allows the patient to choose, decide and have a range of safe and effective options for the management, cure or control of their disease; with the certainty and security of having innovation, wisdom and successful options within their reach, affirms Dr. Bernardo Pérez, a neurosurgeon at the Institution.