$Unique_ID{BRK00589}
$Pretitle{Mental and Emotional Conditions}
$Title{Mexican Operation for Severe Parkinson's Disease}
$Subject{Parkinson's surgery}
$Volume{E-1}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Mexican Operation for Severe Parkinson's Disease


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QUESTION:  My father suffers from severe Parkinson's and so I make every
attempt to keep up with the latest developments in treating the illness.  I
have read that a new operation is now available that can cure the illness
available in Mexico.  Do you know anything about this, and where I can take my
father for treatment?

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ANSWER:  Yes, I know of the operation, and unfortunately, can not encourage
you about its use in treating your father.  Almost two years ago, an operation
which used tissue transplanted from the patient's own adrenal gland into the
brain, was reported as producing remarkable improvement in the condition of
the two Parkinsonian patients who were the first patients to have this
procedure performed.  This surgery took place in Mexico.  In the past two
years, over 100 such operations were performed by neurosurgeons in the United
States.  Their results, as reported at the most recent meeting of the American
Academy of Neurology in Chicago, did not confirm the results as originally
reported.  While some patients did do well, the improvement was not as
dramatic as described in the first patients.  In addition there were many
complications after surgery, including confusion and disorientation, and the
ability of anti-Parkinson's medication to control symptoms was reduced.  When
all of this became known The American Academy of Neurology issued a position
statement that urged "great caution" in expanding the use of this operation
until further, careful and complete research could be accomplished.  There has
never been any claims of a "cure" for the procedure, and the results have been
a mild to moderate improvement when it has worked.  Since this is not true in
every case and in view of the high risks involved, I can not recommend it to
you.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
