Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery · Published 2026-07-10 · DOI 10.1016/j.inat.2026.102328
Maricely Ambar Pérez-Fernández, Fabián Piedimonte, Julian Eduardo Soto Abraham, Carlos Salvador Ovalle, Carlos Castillo-Rangel, Gervith Reyes Soto, Lia Isabella Diaz Mendez, Yanelisa Andrea Calderin Lage, Matthew Gabriel Díaz Michel, Andelfher Josías Tejada Henriquez, Vladimir Nikolenko, Rodrigo Mercado Pimentel, Andreina Rosario Rosario, Vanessa Milanese, Ismael Antonio Peralta Baez, Danil Nurmukhametov, Renat Nurmukhametov, Yeimy Margarita Lebrón Sánchez, Jose Antonio Pappaterra Comas, Bary G. Bigay Mercedes, Nicola Montemurro, Manuel De Jesus Encarnacion Ramirez
Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) improves motor outcomes in Parkinson's dis-ease (PD), yet adoption across Latin America is uneven. The purpose of this research is to map current DBS practice, infrastructure, and barriers across the region and outline priorities for growth. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, multicenter, survey of Latin American clinicians involved in DBS for PD. The instrument (39 items; six domains) captured demographics, institutional structure, surgical strategy, technology, access/funding, complications, and future priorities. Invitations circulated through professional societies and clinician networks in September 2025; eligibility required direct DBS care. Duplicate or incomplete responses were excluded. Data were collected anonymously, normalized to the total sample, and summarized with descriptive statistics. Results: We analyzed 127 valid responses from 19 countries. Multidisciplinary DBS boards were present in 58.2%. Awake implantation predominated (67.9%); 12.8% reported asleep DBS, and 19.3% used both. Subthalamic nucleus was the preferred target (82.3%); microelectrode recording was routine in 64.1%. Annual volumes were low in most centers, with activity concentrated in a few hubs. Cost (66.1%) and limited coverage (22.8%) were dominant barriers. Most respondents perceived marked quality-of-life gains after DBS; infections were the most cited complication. Conclusion: DBS for PD is established in select Latin American centers but constrained by financing, uneven infrastructure, and workforce gaps. Region-specific priorities include expansion of reimbursement, standardized multidisciplinary pathways, training hubs, and prospective registries to consolidate safety and access.
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Pérez-Fernández, M., Piedimonte, F., Abraham, J., et al. (2026). Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease in Latin America: Challenges, opportunities and future directions. Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inat.2026.102328