The advantages of DBS include no lesion in the brain so future treatments or procedures that may be developed could be an option. Other advantages include removal of the system if needed, ability to change stimulus parameters to increase efficacy or reduce side effects and the ability to perform bilateral operations without causing permanent speech impairment. The disadvantages include the cost of the system, the fact that a foreign body is implanted, future need to replace the battery and the possibility of mechanical problems. Hence, DBS was used instead of lesioning. Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of DBS of the thalamus for tremor.
Thalamic stimulation has a marked efficacy in reducing tremor similar to thalamotomy.
Some patients show a micro-thalamotomy effect, a reduction of tremor after implantation of the electrode, but before the stimulator is turned on. This is presumably due to swelling at the electrode site. This effect may occasionally persist due to the possibility of a mechanical lesion occurring during placement of the electrode. The patient is awake during the initial part of the surgery. However, to implant the IPG under the skin the patient has to undergo general anesthesia.