NIMS Hyderabad reduces deep brain stimulation surgery time using new technique

The Department of Neurosurgery at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad has introduced an advanced technique that reduces the duration of deep brain stimulation surgery from the conventional 5-6 hours to just 1-2 hours in selected patients. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The Department of Neurosurgery at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad has introduced an advanced technique that reduces the duration of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery from the conventional 5-6 hours to just 1-2 hours in selected patients.

According to NIMS, the procedure was performed by Y. Vamsi Krishna, head of the Department of Neurosurgery. The institute said the technique combines advanced imaging, precise surgical planning and refined operative methods, allowing DBS procedures to be performed under general anesthesia instead of the conventional awake craniotomy approach.

DBS is used to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Traditionally, patients undergoing surgery are required to stay awake for several hours while electrodes are implanted in certain areas of the brain.

The institute said the neurosurgical team adopted the technique after receiving specialist training at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London. He added that more than 200 DBS surgeries have been performed at NIMS in the last two-and-a-half years.

In another development, NIMS introduced MRI-guided radiofrequency ablation for patients with tremors unresponsive to medication. The procedure uses advanced MRI sequences to precisely identify and target the dentato-rubro-thalamic (DRT) pathway and does not require the implantation of any permanent device.

The treatment, which costs around ₹5,000 in private hospitals, is provided free to eligible underprivileged patients through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Published – 26 Jul 2026 18:32 IST