An 8-year-old Oklahoma girl is now going to become the first pediatric patient globally to undergo robotic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in what ought to be a groundbreaking medical achievement. This pioneering procedure was announced by two hospitals involved in her care.
Life-Changing Robotic Brain Surgery
8-year-old Karleigh Fry was diagnosed with rapid-onset primary dystonia, a severe neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions.
Her condition initially left her paralyzed, unable to walk, eat, or sit up on her own. Despite being on several medications, which provided slight improvement, Karleigh continued to suffer from involuntary movements that led to self-injury.
Seeking a more effective solution, a joint team at Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health and Bethany Children's Health Center considered Karleigh a suitable candidate for DBS.
Dr. Andrew Jea, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Oklahoma Children's Hospital, stated that this groundbreaking surgery marks the global debut of using a robot from the operating rooms to perform DBS in a child, setting a precedent not only in Oklahoma but also across the United States and worldwide.
Understanding Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation involves implanting one or more small wires, known as electrodes, in the brain. These electrodes are connected to a neurostimulator device implanted in the upper chest.
The procedure aims to interrupt the irregular signals that cause tremors and other involuntary movements associated with neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and Tourette's syndrome.
While DBS does not cure these conditions, it significantly improves the patient's quality of life. The use of robotics in this procedure enhances surgical precision and safety, as noted by OU Health.
Karleigh's mother, Trisha Fry, explained the difficult decision to proceed with the surgery, describing that it seemed like they were trying to decide if allowing their child to go through the surgery would be worth the risk or not.
However, she reveals wanting to give her 8-year-old the best shot in life.
Post-Surgery Improvements
Due to the complexity of the procedure, Karleigh's surgery was scheduled to be done in two parts.
The initial procedure took place at Oklahoma Children's Hospital, followed by her transfer to Bethany Children's Health Center for post-operative care and pediatric rehabilitation.
Within minutes of activating the neurostimulator, it was reported that Karleigh experienced significant improvements.
According to OU Health, Karleigh was able to lower and relax her arms for the first time since her diagnosis. Her motor control and speech have also shown marked progress.
She also added that before the procedure, the arms of her child used to lock up to the point where they would put socks on her hands because she would scratch her neck.
The mother of the 8-year-old admits the progress and improvements seen. She is now using her own little voice more frequently, and she can now speak and utter a few words. Based on the progress they are making, her mother certainly believes there is a possibility of a great future.
The medical team reports ongoing progress in Karleigh's condition, suggesting that this successful procedure may pave the way for more pediatric patients to benefit from robotic DBS in the future.
