Autorickshaw driver gets a new lease of life after DBS surgery

A 45-year-old man suffering from Parkinson's disease got a new lease of life after undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implantation at a hospital here.
The procedure is the first robotic-assisted DBS implantation performed in Asia for Parkinson's disease, the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) claimed in a press release here.
This technology enables minimally invasive surgery of the central nervous system with a level of precision not possible by human hand, it said.
Zubair, an auto-rickshaw driver was unable to drive vehicle as his hands would start shaking uncontrollably midway, terrifying his passengers.
Often, he used to request them to disembark and take another auto for their safety.

After the surgery by Dr Ashok Pillai, Clinical Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Zubair's symptoms have disappeared and he was now able to lead his life as any other healthy man, the release said.

Considering the financial situation of the patient, the hospital conducted the surgery free of cost.
DBS is a neurosurgical procedure involves the implantation of a neuro-stimulator (brain pacemaker) in the patient's body which, through wires connected to the head, sends electrical impulses to specific areas in the brain.
According to Pillai DBS has provided therapeutic benefits for treatment-resistant disorders like Parkinson's, epilepsy, movement disorders, chronic pain, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders.