Objective. We analyse the clinical aspects, results and reliability of post
eroventral pallidotomy (PVP) carried out as treatment for the principal sym
ptoms and treatment induced complications in patients with Parkinson's dise
ase (PD).
Patients and Methods. Between August 1995-January 1998, 17 patients with PD
were treated surgically, 13 patients with PVP. A pre- and post-surgical cl
inical evaluation was carried out. Riechert's Stereotactic System (MHT, Fre
iburg, Germany) was used. Ventriculography under stereotactic conditions wa
s used in the PVP procedures, Laitinen's co-ordinates as anatomical target,
and electrical stimulation for physiological determination. 3-4 radiofrequ
ency lesions were made at 83 degrees C for 20". The mean age was 60 +/- 10.
8 years, ages ranging from 45-79 years. 8 (60.5%) of the patients were male
. The cardinal symptoms of the series were bradykinesia and rigidity. The d
uration of the illness ranged from 8.6 +/- 3.7 years with a range of 4-15 y
ears. 7 (53.8%) presented with a duration of 10 years or more. 6 (46,2%) of
the patients underwent left PVP, the remaining 7 (53.8%) right PVP. Only o
ne patient received treatment with right PVP and ipsilateral thalamotomy in
the same surgical procedure. The mean post-surgical follow up was 16 +/- 7
months, with a range of 2 to 26 months.
Results. An up to date evaluation was carried out on all patients showing s
ignificant changes after PVP in UPDRS motor (P < 0.005), complete rigidity
relief (P < 0.005). bradykinesia relief (P < 0.005) and complete tremor rel
ief (P < 0.005). An important. improvement in contralateral dyskinesia was
noted after PVP. A subjective evaluation of the results showed excellent re
sults in 4 (30.8%) patients, good in 6 (46.2%) and fair in 3 (23%). No sign
ificant correlation was found between age and duration of illness (P = 0.7)
. Two patients suffered slight side effects, one patient with worsening of
hypophonia whilst the other suffered subjective visual impairment controlle
d by normal post operative ophthalmological examinations. There was no peri
-operative mortality.
Conclusion. PVP is considered a safe and effective surgical method for the
treatment of both the principal symptoms of PD and the complications of DOP
A medication.