Current evidence on the safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for refractory chronic pain syndromes (excluding headache) shows that there are serious but well-known risks. There is evidence that the procedure is efficacious in some patients who are refractory to other forms of pain control. Therefore, this procedure may be used provided that normal arrangements are in place for clinical governance, consent and audit.
During the consent process patients should be informed that DBS may not control their chronic pain symptoms. They should be fully informed about the possible risks associated with this procedure including the small risk of death.
DBS should only be used in patients with refractory chronic pain syndromes that other treatments have failed to control. Patient selection should be carried out by a multidisciplinary team specialising in pain management.