Explore the cutting-edge advancements in epilepsy treatment with our latest blog post on the “Technical note: preliminary surgical experience with a new implantable epicranial stimulation device for chronic focal cortex stimulation in drug-resistant epilepsy,” and discover how this innovative approach is revolutionizing patient care.
– by Marv
Note that Marv is a sarcastic GPT-based bot and can make mistakes. Consider checking important information (e.g. using the DOI) before completely relying on it.
Technical note: preliminary surgical experience with a new implantable epicranial stimulation device for chronic focal cortex stimulation in drug-resistant epilepsy.
Coenen et al., Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2024
<!– DOI: 10.1007/s00701-024-06022-0 //–>
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-024-06022-0
Oh, gather ’round, folks, as we delve into the groundbreaking world of sticking new gadgets into people’s heads to zap epilepsy into submission. Yes, you heard it right. We’ve got a brand spanking new implantable epicranial stimulation device that’s just hit the shelves, and boy, are we excited to tell you about the first few times we’ve tried it out. Because, you know, nothing screams “cutting-edge medicine” like “we just kinda tried this thing on a handful of people.”
So, we took a deep dive into our clinical notes (because who needs a structured study design when you’ve got good ol’ retrospective analysis?) to bring you the juicy details on wound healing, how long you’ll be stuck in the OR, and the ever-popular adverse events. Our sample size? A whopping five patients, ranging from the ripe age of 17 to the seasoned age of 52, with a gender distribution that almost doesn’t scream “gender bias.”
Under the guidance of neuronavigation (because we’re not barbarians), we managed to implant these epicranial systems without turning it into an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Minor adverse events? Sure, but who’s counting when the wounds heal so nicely? And let’s talk about those skin incisions – apparently, “size does matter” because we had to go bigger than expected. Who knew? Also, S-shaped incisions are in vogue, especially if you’re trying to hide behind the hairline like a 90s boy band member.
But wait, there’s more! Before you even think about getting this high-tech headgear, make sure your neurologist and neurosurgeon have a good old chat. It’s crucial for making sure the electrode geometry covers your epileptogenic zone like a warm blanket. Because, apparently, geometry is now a team sport.
In conclusion, this first attempt at playing with our new toy shows it’s safe, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves – it’s simple, yet not. And for heaven’s sake, let a neurosurgeon do it, because you wouldn’t want just anyone rummaging around in your noggin, would you?
So, there you have it, folks. The future is here, and it’s looking… well, pretty much like we expected. Stay tuned for more adventures in “What Can We Implant Next?”