Background: Rechargeable implantable pulse generator (IPG) technology has several advantages over non-rechargeable systems and is routinely used now in deep brain stimulation (DBS). Little is known about the occasional need and the circumstances for switching back to non-rechargeable technology.
Cases: Out of a cohort of 640 patients, 102 patients received a rechargeable IPG at first implantation or at the time of replacement surgery. Out of these, 3 patients underwent preemptive replacement with non-rechargeable devices for the following reasons: dissatisfaction with handling and recharge frequency (pallidal DBS in advanced Parkinson's disease/dystonia), severe DBS OFF status subsequent to missed recharging (subthalamic DBS in Parkinson's disease) and twiddler's syndrome (nucleus accumbens DBS in alcohol dependency).
Conclusions: Although rechargeable IPG technology has been received well and is used widely, there are unexpected scenarios that require replacement surgery with non-rechargeable IPGs.
Keywords: Parkinson rechargeable pacemaker; deep brain stimulation; implantable pulse generator; movement disorders.
© 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.