1 Guidance

1 Guidance

1.1 Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease appears adequate to support the use of the procedure, provided that normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance.

1.2 The clinical and cost effectiveness of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease is being evaluated by the PD Surg trial, which is expected to complete randomisation in 2005/6. The results of this trial are likely to provide evidence on the most appropriate use of the procedure and clinicians are encouraged to consider randomising patients in the trial.

1.3 It is recommended that patient selection should be made with the involvement of a multidisciplinary team, and that patients should be offered the procedure only when their disease has become refractory to best medical treatment.