Maltese neurosurgeon gives new lease on life for 10 patients

Over the last four years, several patients have benefitted from a radical change in their quality of life thanks to various innovative interventions taking place at Mater Dei Hospital.

One of these interventions is Deep Brain Stimulation which involves placing electrodes on the head which help patients to regain control of their movements and mobility.

Health Minister Joe Cassar said that this was a new and ambitious project in the Neurology and Neurosurgery sector.

“Work on this project began two years ago and the service started last year. This is a very important step in patient healthcare and the fact that the surgeon is Maltese, adds prestige to the service which, like the rest of the services, will be offered for free to the benefit of patients,” Cassar said.

Cassar said that Deep Brain Stimulation was a specialised surgical intervention and involves the work of a large number of health professionals and the first five operations took place last year.

Anthony Borg, a patient who underwent the procedure last year as one of the first five, described the experience as “magic”. “I feel reborn. It was incredible. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 40 and it completely consumed me in the span of 10 years. My movements were limited. Walking and controlling my movements has reopened doors and given me new lease on life.”  

Since the beginning of 2012, another five operations have been conducted while another five patients will undergo surgery next week.

Cassar said that research shows that between five and 10 operations a year were required according to population figures.

“The intervention literally changes the patient's life in a radical way and is often described by the patient as a new life. The fact that surgeon Ludvic Zrinzo agreed to come to Malta means patients can avoid going abroad and which is advantageous for the patient and his family,” Cassar said.

Zrinzo is a consultant neurosurgeon specialised in Deep Brain Stimulation working at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

Zrinzo said that at the core of the work carried out by a multi-disciplinary team, there is the patient and will to give the possibility of a better life.

“This intervention, although directly affecting the patient also affects the family of the patient who are often suffering along with the patient. Deep Brain Stimulation can be conducted by either putting the patient under or when the patient is awake. While the effects of the operation can be seen immediately when the patient is awake, it can be a difficult experience for the patient,” Zrinzo said.

It is for this reason that Zrinzo has focused on researching ways to conduct the procedure when the patient asleep, as it is done today, thanks to the use of MRI to give a fairly clear indication of the success of operation.

“The whole eight-hour process begins with placing a device on the patient’s head which helps the surgeon to accurately orient oneself with the brain of the patient. An MRI is then performed before the operation itself.

Mater Dei Hospital Consultant Neurologist Dr Josanne Aquilina said that not everyone with Parkinson’s or any illness affecting movement can undergo the intervention.

“This is because in a majority of cases, the medicines administered are already helping the patients.  Deep Brain Stimulation is considered only when medicines are not helping. Medical examinations are also conducted on the patients to establish whether they are strong enough to undergo the intervention. Psychiatric sessions are also conducted to also prepare them mentally,” she said.