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FILIPINO
doctors gained a deeper insight on the treatment of
Parkinson’s disease with the culmination of “The
Surgical UF—The Philippines Pilot Outreach and Training
for Parkinson Disease” held at the Cardinal Santos
Medical Center in San Juan.
The
convention was hosted by the Philippine Movement of
Disorder Surgery Center (PhilMove), in collaboration
with the University of Florida, the Philippine
Neurological Association and the Movement Disorder
Society of the Philippines.
Doctors
Kelly D. Foote, Michael S. Okun, Hubert H. Fernandez and
Ramon L. Rodriguez from the
University of
Florida
discussed with their Filipino counterparts the
breakthrough Activa Parkinson’s Control Deep-Brain
Stimulation (DBS) Surgery, a procedure that involves the
implantation of a device to minimize the involuntary
movements of Parkinson’s patients.
The
therapy seeks to control tremors, slowness of movement,
rigidity and stiffness of muscles, as well as poorness
of balance, among others.
“We see
a drastic improvement of 90 percent or nearly normal
functions in our patients after the surgery. They get to
lead normal lives after the implants,” Foote, who
trained in
France
under the doctor who pioneered DBS, said.
“We
learned that over one million Filipinos are suffering
from Parkinson’s disease. That’s a very large population
in the future who would be debilitated by the
disease...and DBS can help improve their quality of
life,” Okun added.
According to Rodriguez, the best time for DBS surgery
would be when medication fails to minimize the
disability of the patient.
“Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease. When the
patient’s response to medication is no longer as
effective as before, we recommend DBS,” he explained.
Rodriguez said DBS surgery is not constrained to
Parkinson’s disease patients. He said they also
conducted DBS on patients with essential tremors, the
second most common motor disorder. The surgery is just
as successful as those on Parkinson’s disease patients.
The
Florida team was here to share their experience on DBS,
as well as the management of the medical complications
of Parkinson’s disease.
“We are
here to spread advocacy on DBS. Hopefully, we can help
Filipinos develop centers of excellence for Parkinson’s
disease, especially in the province. We have seen the
center here in
Manila
and we are confident with the Filipino team,” Okun said.
The
convention concluded with a hands-on demonstration of
DBS on two Parkinson’s disease patients. The Philippine
team was composed of neurosurgeons, neurologists,
anesthesiologists, psychiatrist and psychologist.
For information, call the Philippine Movement Disorder
Surgery Center at 726-0776 or e-mail info@philmove.com.ph. |
