AUTHOR=Eleopra Roberto , Rinaldo Sara , Devigili Grazia , Mondani Massimo , D'Auria Stanislao , Golfrè Andreasi Nico , Skrap Miran , Lettieri Christian 

TITLE=Globus Pallidus Internus Deep Brain Stimulation Using Frame-Based vs. Frameless Stereotaxy in Dystonia: A Single-Center Experience

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.643757

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2021.643757

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=Objective: bilateral Globus Pallidus internus Deep Brain Stimulation (GPi-DBS) is an established and effective therapy for primary refractory dystonia. However, the comparison of frameless versus frame-based DBS surgery technique is still controversial. The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the clinical outcome of two GPi-DBS surgical techniques for patients affected by primary generalized or multi-segmental dystonia. 
Methods: for leads stereotaxic placement, ten patients underwent frame-based surgery and other ten subjects DBS-surgery with a frameless technique. Clinical features were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months after surgery by means of the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS). 
Results: frame-based GPi-DBS and frameless stereotaxic group revealed a comparable clinical outcome with no surgical complications. 
Conclusions: frameless technique is safe and well tolerated by patients and showed similar effectiveness of the frame-based stereotaxic surgery during GPi-DBS for primary dystonia. Notably, it could be a valid alternative solution because of the great advantage in improving the patient’s discomfort during awake surgery.