FUNCTIONAL NEUROSURGERY: EVALUATION OF CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Functional neurosurgery, a constantly evolving field, encompasses procedures that aim to restore and preserve neurological functions. This area has been marked by significant advances that improve patients' quality of life, although it also presents challenges related to postoperative complications. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications associated with functional neurosurgery, providing a detailed perspective on the effectiveness and safety of these procedures. Methodology: The research followed the PRISMA checklist protocol, using the PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases. The descriptors used included "functional neurosurgery", "clinical results", "complications", "evaluation" and "neurosurgery". Articles from the last ten years that involved clinical studies, reviews and meta-analyses were selected. Inclusion criteria covered studies with quantitative data on outcomes and complications, while studies without a focus on functional neurosurgery, isolated case reports, and articles without peer review were excluded. Results: 13 studies were selected. The results indicated that, despite the inherent risks, functional neurosurgery has provided significant improvements in conditions such as movement disorders and epilepsy. However, complications, although rare, have included infections, hemorrhages and, in some cases, neurological deterioration. Conclusion: It was concluded that functional neurosurgery is a promising area, with the potential to offer substantial benefits to patients. However, close monitoring of complications is imperative to optimize results and ensure patient safety. The review highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and continued research to improve techniques and minimize associated risks.