title: Approach for tunneling the lead in deep brain stimulation.
abstract: The implantation of a deep brain stimulator (DBS) is often a staged procedure that involves stereotactic placement of the neurostimulator electrode, followed by connection of the electrode to a pulse generator during a separate operation. The authors describe a practical technique for the retrograde tunneling of the stimulator lead during the initial electrode implantation procedure. After DBS electrode placement and securing of the lead, the lead is covered with a protective cap and boot, which are then folded back to tunnel a redundant loop of the lead in a retrograde fashion into a subgaleal pocket. This technique facilitates connection of the lead to the pulse generator connecting wire at the subsequent operation and may reduce lead damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fabiano
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Plunkett
mesh_terms: D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed