What is the cost of deep brain stimulation in India?

Deep brain stimulation, or DBS surgery, is used to treat neurological conditions. The surgery involves placing a pacemaker in the chest skin below the collar bone, which sends electrical impulses to the brain to control the body’s movements.

The surgery is usually performed when the traditional medicines and therapy fail to treat neurological disorders. 

DBS Surgery India: How is the procedure performed? 

Deep brain stimulation surgery is usually performed to treat diseases like Parkinson’s, dystonia and tremors. It is performed in two parts in India: 

• In the first stage, the surgeon needs to decide which parts of the brain he wants to target. It can be done via MRI and CT scans. 
• Electrodes will then be placed in the targeted area, with the loose ends under the skin of the head. 
• Under general anesthesia, a pacemaker will then be placed just below the collar bone, which is then connected to the electrodes using the extension wires. 

DBS surgery helps in regulating abnormal electrical signals in the brain, alleviating symptoms of movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor) and certain psychiatric conditions (e.g., obsessive-compulsive disorder) 

What is the cost of DBS Surgery in India? 

In general, the cost of DBS surgery in India can vary from USD 25000  to USD 30000. The device primarily decides the cost variation. Here is a breakdown of the cost for you: 

• Preoperative evaluation: $1000
• DBS Device: $17000
• Operation charges: $55000
• Doctors charges: $2000
• Hospital stay: $1500

The cost can vary depending on the following cases: 

• The cost of DBS surgery in government institutions in India may be low. They may be able to acquire the DBS devices at a lower price. 
• If you go for US-made devices like Medtronics, Abbotts, and St Judes, the cost will be more as :
  • These devices are FDA-approved in India.
  • They have long-term reliability.
  • Long battery life of US-based devices. 

• The experience of the surgeon also decides the cost of DBS surgery in India. It requires the skill to insert wires precisely in the brain. 
• At the same time, the neurological equipment used to perform MRI and CT scans also influences the cost. 
• In India, US-based devices are marketed by companies that also provide after-surgery services. 
• Amongst all the DBS systems, Medtronic is the cheapest. 

What can make the cost of DBS surgery in India high? 

• The rechargeable DBS devices are more costly than the ones that cannot be recharged. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery Cost in India is somewhere around 17,500 USD for non-rechargeable batteries and 26000 USD for rechargeable batteries with long life, say 10 to 15 years. 
• The new devices by Abbott are technologically very advanced and hence expensive. 
• If your budget allows it, then you can go for costly devices; otherwise, Medtronics is the ideal choice. 
• The cost also depends on the hospital fees and the type of room you select. 

Please talk with your doctor in detail, and make sure you give serious consideration to their preference. The use of current steering devices is evolving.

What can be done to reduce the costs? 

• Almost all cases of DBS surgery in Delhi are performed using two wires. It is called Bilateral DBS. 
• In some instances, Unilaters DBS can also benefit from this. 
• For Parkinson’s, Bilateral DBS is perfect, and in some cases, unilateral is useful. 

Unilateral DBS is especially useful if:

• Your symptoms are mostly only on one side of your body.
• You have uncontrolled depression or thinking problems – 
• If you want to reduce the DBS, cost as much as possible.

Since it is only on one side, almost everything is reduced by half:

• The surgery time is reduced.
• Only one wire is needed.
• A much smaller battery is required.

Well, almost everything is reduced by half except the cost of the DBS device. 

Conclusion

It is important to note that this is an estimated cost, and the actual price may vary. It is best to consult with a neurosurgeon or the best medical consultant in India, like Cross Border Care, to get an accurate quote and to understand the various costs associated with the procedure.

That is an FDA-approved treatment using a success rate of over 95%.

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