Brachial Plexus Injuries/Stereotactic Procedures Cost in Kolkata

Stereotactic procedures for brachial plexus injuries address chronic, treatment-resistant neuropathic pain or restore function when nerve reconstruction is impossible. These are done in various brain and spinal cord regions to interfere with pain signals and help patients for whom all other options have been tried.

You should seek medical advice if you experience progressive or persistent weakness, numbness, or pain of a burning character in your arm after trauma or if such symptoms have not been relieved through surgery or therapies. Timely diagnosis averts permanent nerve damage and ensures a better return.

Preparation involves neurological assessments, imaging (MRI, CT), and nerve conduction studies. If necessary, a pain specialist or neurosurgeon would suggest functional MR imaging of the pain centres. Patients should be aware of the medications considered or fasting protocols to be followed, and they should inform the consultant of any history of seizures, infections, or bleeding disorders.

Stereotactic procedures use a 3D coordinate system to accurately target deep brain or spinal cord structures. They usually consist of radiofrequency ablation and deep brain stimulation (DBS) or spinal cord stimulation of the targeted areas. The neurosurgeon uses frame-based or frameless stereotactic apparatus guidance to administer focused therapy with minimal disturbance to the surrounding tissues. It can be done through Stereotactic Brain Surgery, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT).

The procedure rarely lasts more or less than 1\u20134 hours, depending on the technique. Technically, most patients must stay in a hospital for some monitoring period, often 1\u20133 days. Recovery can vary.

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Unintended nerve or brain injury
• Hardware malfunction (in stimulation procedures)
• Lack of pain relief

• Chronic pain relief and, in some cases, functional limb restoration.
• It can lessen dependency on medications and improve living standards.

Post-operative recovery usually encompasses pain relief, wound care, and neurological evaluations. Follow-up imaging may also be required to check for treatment accuracy. Rehabilitation processes such as physical or occupational therapy usually start soon after the operation, especially if it offers at least partial motor function improvement.

The success rate depends on the nerve injury type and the damage extent; however, stereotactic procedures have demonstrated promising results in managing neuropathic pain from brachial plexus injuries. Pain relief can be achieved for 60-80% of patients, particularly in patients with localised intractable symptoms and those without any option for surgical reconstruction.