Deep Brain Stimulation in Turkey

A. In Turkey, the minimum cost for deep brain stimulation is TRY 632,940, or USD 21,000 and the highest cost for deep brain stimulation is TRY 843,920, or USD 28,000.

A. Yes, device cost is included in the package, However, the patient will be responsible for covering the cost of any additional facilities after being discharged from the hospital. Maintaining this type of device cost is essential to achieving the best recovery outcomes.

A. The eligibility criteria for DBS in Turkey are primarily within international standards, but institutions have their specific policies. Common criteria include a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease - typically, symptoms have been present for many years. Significant response to dopaminergic medications but show evidence of motor fluctuations or untoward effects that cannot be managed.

Age: 30-75 years (in good health), as per the individual's health condition.

General Health Status: Candidates should have a good general health status without any surgical contraindication, such as ongoing infection or psychiatric disorders.

Global Cognitive Function: Candidates should have reasonable global cognitive function. Significant global cognitive impairment may impair the result of surgery.

Motivation: Willingness to undergo the surgical process and comply with post-operative care and therapy.

Therefore, such patients are normally advised to undergo an assessment by a neurologist or a specialized movement disorder team to evaluate their case and assess their eligibility.

A. The total number of patients to whom the DBS was administered in Turkey cannot be determined since the data does not always become public. However, it is estimated that several hundred patients had received DBS for diseases such as Parkinson's since the procedure has been adopted and started being practiced in the country.

A. The package does include full physiotherapy services for the length of time the patient is hospitalized following DBS surgery. Rehabilitation is a crucial step in the healing process after DBS surgery to help recover function and movement. However, the patient will be responsible for covering the cost of any additional rehabilitation and post-care surgery after being discharged from the hospital. Maintaining this type of rehabilitation is essential to achieving the best recovery outcomes.

A. The DBS generators' battery typically lasts for 3 to 5 years and must, thus, be surgically replaced. 2, 3 PD patients typically undergo many generator replacement surgeries over the rest of their lives.