Oklahoma recently made a groundbreaking achievement in the field of neurosurgery as a collaborative team from Oklahoma Children's Hospital and Bethany Children's Health Center successfully completed the first ever deep brain stimulation surgery on a child. The remarkable feat involved the use of a robot, marking a significant milestone for both Oklahoma and pediatric medicine.

The recipient of this pioneering procedure is 8-year-old Karleigh, who suffers from primary dystonia, a disorder causing involuntary movements. According to her mother, Trisha Fry, the condition originated from an ear infection Karleigh experienced when she turned four. Prior to that, she had been meeting all developmental milestones without any issues.

Led by Dr. Andrew Jea, the chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Oklahoma Children's Hospital, the team decided to employ an advanced approach using a robot to perform the deep brain stimulation. This approach was chosen due to the robot's precision and lack of tremor, allowing the surgical team to carry out the procedure with submillimeter accuracy.

The use of a tablet enables Karleigh's family to adjust the device settings, offering greater flexibility in fine-tuning her treatment. They can increase or decrease the stimulation as needed to address any tightness or discomfort that arises. Karleigh's family has expressed immense satisfaction with the surgery, describing it as a resounding success. Since having the deep brain stimulator implanted, Karleigh has demonstrated notable improvements and has adapted remarkably well to the treatment.

Dr. Jea emphasized the significance of this achievement, not only in terms of medical advancements but also in keeping patients close to home for their care. By providing state-of-the-art technology and expertise within the local community, Oklahoma Children's Hospital and Bethany Children's Health Center are ensuring that Oklahomans receive world-class neurosurgical care without having to seek treatment elsewhere.

The successful completion of the world's first robot-assisted deep brain stimulation surgery on a pediatric patient is a significant milestone for Oklahoma and the global medical community. With this breakthrough, it is expected that many more children with similar conditions will benefit from advanced neurosurgical procedures, paving the way for a brighter future for pediatric neurosurgery.

In the years to come, continuous advancements in medical technology combined with the expertise of skilled healthcare professionals like Dr. Jea and his team will undoubtedly revolutionize the field of neurosurgery, improving the lives of countless children around the world who suffer from neurological disorders.