Functional Neurosurgery
Functional neurosurgery has witnessed tremendous progress, revolutionizing the treatment of chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease to offer patients a better quality of life.
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The field of functional neurosurgery has witnessed tremendous development in recent years, revolutionizing the treatment of many neurological diseases that were previously considered untreatable. Functional neurosurgery refers to the treatment of chronic neurological disorders that impede a person's daily functioning or abilities. The primary goal of functional neurosurgery is to restore neurological status and function.
These advanced surgeries aim to modify the functions of specific brain regions that have been damaged, causing several diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Thanks to scientific and technological advances, surgical intervention has become possible to improve damaged brain functions, allowing Parkinson's patients to live more normally while reducing their dependence on medications and avoiding their side effects.
A breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson's disease:
Parkinson's disease is one of the neurological diseases that has benefited most from advances in functional neurosurgery. In the past, treatment relied solely on medications such as levodopa, which help improve symptoms but lose their effectiveness over time, making the disease more difficult to control.
There are two types of surgeries performed by Dr. Zeiad Yossry, Professor of Neurosurgery and Parkinson's Disease, to help patients with Parkinson's disease manage the associated tremors or stiffness:
• Ablation of specific areas of the brain:
This procedure involves creating tiny lesions in precise deep-brain areas that control movement. The procedure can be performed while the patient is awake to help determine the target area causing tremors. The lesion is placed in the area of the brain that causes the tremor. This type of surgery involves treating one side of the brain, unlike deep brain stimulation, which affects the entire brain, yielding better results.
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS):
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves implanting electrodes in specific areas of the brain, connected to a small stimulator implanted under the skin in the chest. After recovery, the specific brain area is stimulated by electrical pulses generated by a pulse generator. This helps modify nerve signals and reduce symptoms of the disease, such as tremors, slowness of movement, and muscle stiffness.
Studies indicate that deep brain stimulation is a long-term solution, significantly reducing movement disorders in Parkinson's patients and even enabling them to reduce medication dosages, thus minimizing side effects. This procedure has also become safer and more effective thanks to ongoing advances in neurosurgical techniques and brain imaging.
Deep brain stimulation implantation helps you live a more active life by allowing you to participate in sports and physical activities after the procedure. Once the surgical sites have healed, you can exercise and shower normally.
Functional neurosurgery has also transformed epilepsy treatment—a chronic neurological disorder causing recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain electrical activity. For drug-resistant epilepsy, it is now possible to remove seizure-causing brain tissue or use innovative approaches such as vagus nerve stimulation, where an implanted device helps regulate abnormal electrical signals.
Some patients may also benefit from procedures that disconnect seizure-generating neural networks, reducing seizure frequency and improving quality of life. These options have given new hope to many who previously had uncontrolled seizures, allowing them to live more freely and safely.
Egypt is a pioneer in functional neurosurgery:
Egypt has become a leader in functional neurosurgery, making these advanced technologies accessible to Egyptian patients without the need to travel abroad. Dr. Zeiad Yossry, Professor of Neurosurgery and Parkinson's Disease, makes the optimal choice for each patient based on the health condition and personal requirements.
Thanks to advances in functional neurosurgery techniques, patients suffering from Parkinson's disease can now regain much of their normal lives. The disease no longer poses a barrier to daily life; it can now be controlled through advanced surgical techniques, restoring hope and giving patients the opportunity to live a more fulfilling life.
Patient Guide
Dystonia is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary contractions that affect movement. Deep brain stimulation can be used to control movement coordination.
Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological disorder that affects movement due to a lack of dopamine in the brain, causing tremors, stiffness, and slowed motion, and requires deep brain stimulation.
The nervous system is the primary system that connects the brain to the body, responsible for movement, sensation, memory, and control of involuntary functions.