Should patients be asleep or awake during brain surgery?

OHSU study indicates clinical outcomes for deep brain stimulation while patients are asleep are on par or better than surgery while awake

By Erik Robinson November 01, 2017 Portland, Oregon

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Deep brain stimulation

Typical deep brain stimulation procedures are performed while the patient is awake. Technological improvements in imaging have enabled neurosurgeons at OHSU to accurately map the brain before and during deep brain stimulation, allowing them to conduct the surgery while the patient is fast asleep. (OHSU/John Valls)

Deep brain stimulation

Kim Burchiel, M.D., (center), past chair and professor of neurosurgery in the OHSU School of Medicine. (OHSU/John Valls)

Kim Burchiel, M.D.

Professor and past chair, Department of Neurosurgery; OHSU School of Medicine. (OHSU)

Matthew Brodsky, M.D.

Matthew Brodsky, M.D., medical director of OHSU’s deep brain stimulation program. (OHSU)