The IPG, literally a pacemaker for the brain, is inserted under general anesthesia. The scalp incision is reopened, and the extension cable is disconnected and removed. A new, sterile cable is connected to the brain lead and is tunneled beneath the scalp and soft tissues of the neck to the chest wall. Here, just below the clavicle, a pocket is made, beneath the skin but over the chest muscle. The IPG is then connected to the cable and inserted into the pocket.
All incisions are closed and sterile dressings are applied.
This procedure takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Patients stay in recovery room for a short while and are then returned to their room. They are discharged the next morning after they have eaten breakfast, walked independently, and have had the IPG turned on. The IPG is left on for the first week. This allows the surgical incision to heal properly.