STN-DBS electrode placement accuracy and motor improvement in Parkinson's disease: systematic review and individual patient meta-analysis

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective neurosurgical treatment for Parkinson's disease. Surgical accuracy is a critical determinant to achieve an adequate DBS effect on motor performance. A two-millimetre surgical accuracy is commonly accepted, but scientific evidence is lacking. A systematic review and meta-analysis of study-level and individual patient data (IPD) was performed by a comprehensive search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Primary outcome measures were (1) radial error between the implanted electrode and target; (2) DBS motor improvement on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (motor examination). On a study level, meta-regression analysis was performed. Also, publication bias was assessed. For IPD meta-analysis, a linear mixed effects model was used. Forty studies (1391 patients) were included, reporting radial errors of 0.45-1.86 mm. Errors within this range did not significantly influence the DBS effect on motor improvement. Additional IPD analysis (206 patients) revealed that a mean radial error of 1.13 +/- 0.75 mm did not significantly change the extent of DBS motor improvement. Our meta-analysis showed a huge publication bias on accuracy data in DBS. Therefore, the current literature does not provide an unequivocal upper threshold for acceptable accuracy of STN-DBS surgery. Based on the current literature, DBS-electrodes placed within a 2 mm range of the intended target do not have to be repositioned to enhance motor improvement after STN-DBS for Parkinson's disease. However, an indisputable upper cut-off value for surgical accuracy remains to be established. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42018089539.

Automated summary

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, but the optimal surgical accuracy has not been determined. Based on current literature, DBS electrodes placed within a 2mm range of the target do not need repositioning. Further research is needed to establish an indisputable upper cut-off value for surgical accuracy.