Utkal Hospital Delivers First Deep Brain Stimulation in Odisha

Utkal Hospital in Bhubaneswar has marked a significant achievement by successfully performing the first Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson’s disease in Odisha. This milestone positions the hospital as the first corporate medical facility in the state to offer this advanced neurosurgical treatment, joining an elite group of centers in India equipped for such innovative therapies.

Deep Brain Stimulation is a sophisticated procedure utilized for various neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, Tourette syndrome, and select forms of epilepsy. The technique involves implanting electrodes in specific areas of the brain, which connect to a battery-operated pulse generator placed in the chest. This device delivers continuous electrical stimulation to regulate abnormal brain activity, ultimately improving the patient’s symptoms.

Advanced Technology Enhances Patient Care

While two DBS surgeries have been conducted previously in Odisha, the procedure at Utkal Hospital represents a major advancement. It is the first in the state to implement the latest-generation directional electrodes, featuring AI-enabled BrainSenseTM technology. This innovation allows for a more precise adjustment of brain stimulation, which is expected to lead to improved patient outcomes.

Although DBS is considered an advanced and relatively high-cost procedure, access to this treatment is expanding through private insurance and government health schemes. This increase in support aims to broaden the availability of the procedure to more patients.

The landmark surgery was performed on a 40-year-old man suffering from Parkinson’s disease, whose quality of life had been severely affected. The operation was completed successfully, and the patient was discharged on September 1, 2025. The implanted device will be activated after three weeks, with significant improvements in motor symptoms anticipated.

Local Access to World-Class Care

This achievement was made possible by the collaboration of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team at Utkal Hospital. By introducing this advanced service in Odisha, the hospital enables patients to access world-class neurosurgical care locally, significantly reducing both the financial and logistical burdens associated with travel to metropolitan centers for treatment.

Utkal Hospital’s leadership expressed pride in this accomplishment, stating it represents a “new chapter in Odisha’s healthcare journey,” offering renewed hope to patients facing complex neurological disorders. As more facilities adopt such cutting-edge techniques, the landscape of healthcare in the region is poised for transformative change.