Implantation of fetal tissue for the management of Parkinson's disease: a technical note

Neurosurgery. 1995 May;36(5):1044-7; discussion 1047-8. doi: 10.1227/00006123-199505000-00027.

Abstract

A relatively simple method for implanting fetal tissue within the human basal ganglia is described. Stereotactic techniques are used to deposit 14 to 16 strands of fetal mesencephalic tissue in a linear array within the putamen bilaterally. To eliminate the need for targeting each needle pass independently, we have devised a novel rotating template/micromanipulator apparatus that can be mounted on a Cosman-Roberts-Wells stereotactic frame. The template contains two parallel columns of nine holes, all spaced at 4-mm intervals. It can be aligned to the longitudinal axis of the putamen and targeted with coordinates for the center point of the putamen. Surgery is performed on an awake patient. Short-term morbidity (4-6 wk) in the form of variability of Parkinsonian signs, particularly "off" symptoms and mild confusion, appears to be the rule with simultaneous bilateral implants.

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Fetal Tissue Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications
  • Mesencephalon / surgery*
  • Micromanipulation / instrumentation
  • Parkinson Disease / surgery*
  • Stereotaxic Techniques / instrumentation