Unilateral pallidotomy in Parkinson's disease: a randomised, single-blind,multicentre trial

Background The results of several cohort studies suggest that patients with advanced Parkinson's disease would benefit from unilateral pallidotomy. We have assessed the efficacy of unilateral pallidotomy in a randomised, sing le-blind, multicentre trial. Methods We enrolled 37 patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who had, despite optimum pharmacological treatment, at least one of the following sy mptoms: severe response fluctuations, dyskinesias, painful dystonias, or br adykinesia, Patients were randomly assigned to unilateral pallidotomy withi n 1 month or to pallidotomy after the primary outcome assessment (6 months later). The primary outcome was the difference between the groups in median changes on the motor examination section of the unified Parkinson's diseas e rating scale (UPDRS 3) score done in the off phase. Secondary outcome mea sures included levodopa-induced dyskinesias (dyskinesia rating scale [DRS]) and extent of disability (UPDRS 2). Findings The median UPDRS 3 off score of the pallidotomy patients improved from 47 to 32.5, whereas that of control patients slightly worsened from 52 .5 to 56.5 (p < 0.001). In the on phase the median DRS score improved 50% i n pallidotomy patients compared with no change in controls. The UPDRS 2 off score improved with a median of 7 in the pallidotomy group. Two treated pa tients had major adverse effects. Interpretation Unilateral pallidotomy is an effective treatment in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, who have an unsatisfactory response to pharmacological treatment.