University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) reached a major milestone in advanced patient care by successfully completing its first Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Performed in October by neurosurgeon Dr. Harold Smith, this cutting-edge procedure offers new hope to patients suffering from movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Essential Tremor (ET). DBS is a highly specialized surgery that involves implanting electrodes in precise areas of the brain to help regulate abnormal signals that affect mobility.
This life-changing treatment is completed in two stages. In the first stage, while the patient remains awake, Dr. Smith uses sophisticated equipment to place small electrodes in targeted areas of the brain. During this phase, electric pulses are delivered to ensure accurate electrode placement by observing the patient’s physical responses. A week later, the second stage is completed under general anesthesia, during which the electrodes are connected to a pulse generator implanted in the patient’s chest.
Once the surgery is complete, a neurologist programs the generator to send tailored electrical impulses that help reduce symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and slowed movement. What once required travel to far-off medical centers can now be accessed right here in El Paso, thanks to the expanding services at UMC.
Under the leadership of Dr. J.D. Day, Medical Director of Neurosurgery, UMC’s Neurosurgery and Spine Center continues to grow as a regional hub for advanced neurological care. For information about UMC’s Neurosurgery and Spine Center, visit nexuselpaso.com.
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