Medical therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) often becomes inadequate over
several years. Disability increases despite maximal medical management and
many patients develop motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. In addition, medic
ations provide good control of tremor in only 50% of cases. In appropriatel
y selected cases, surgical therapies for PD provide benefit for medically r
efractory symptoms. Recent advances have provided a greater array of surgic
al options. Unilateral thalamotomy and thalamic stimulation are considered
safe and effective procedures to treat contralateral tremor. Pallidotomy an
d pallidal stimulation primarily reduce contralateral dyskinesia, with less
er effects on bradykinesia and rigidity. Studies indicate that subthalamic
nucleus (STN) stimulation improves "off" period function, decreases "off" t
ime, and lessens dyskinesia, Fetal cell transplantation remains experimenta
l, and studies are underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of porcine
fetal cell and human retinal pigment epithelial cell transplantation. This
chapter reviews the history of surgical procedures for PD, describes curren
t procedures, and offers a look into the future of neurosurgical options fo
r PD.