What is the surgical process at Stanford?
During the initial evaluation, the patient will be seen by our neurologist, neurosurgeon and neuropsychologist. The visit with the neurologist will include evaluating the patient in an on- and an off-medication state. An MRI of the brain may be done, of the patient has not recently had one. Following these evaluations, the Movement Disorders Surgical review board meets to consider the appropriateness of surgery for each patient. The patient is notified of the board’s discussion either by telephone or by a return clinic visit. The final decision for surgery is made following a discussion between the patient and neurosurgeon. The week of surgery, patients will be tested in the Stanford Human Motor Control and Balance lab. They will also have a consultation with anesthesia, an MRI of their brain for surgical targeting and a pre-operative history and physical. The day before surgery, the patient’s head will be shaved and the patient will have fiducials placed in his/her scalp. These are sm
