To determine its safety, efficacy, target sites and most effective stimulation parameters in patients with refractory PHM.

Managing refractory Post-hypoxic myoclonus can be extremely challenging. PHM can cause debilitating functional disabilities with pharmacological options limited to benzodiazepines and anticonvulsants. Deep brain stimulation is a well accepted treatment for movement disorders like myoclonus-dystonia, Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors. Emerging case reports suggest DBS to be a viable therapeutic option for refractory PHM. 

A systematic search adhering to PRISMA guidelines was performed from electronic databases (Medline, Google Scholar,Cochrane Library)from inception until 18th October 2020. Renowned preprint servers like medRxiv, bioRxiv were also searched. Published case-reports/series of refractory PHM were included. Pre and postoperative Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale scores & DBS programming parameters were compared.

 A robust improvement has been demonstrated. Globus pallidus internus is the most optimal target site for DBS. With a small cohort of published cases, it is reasonable to consider DBS as a potential effective treatment for intractable PHM. With technological advances like interventional MRI and PET analysis, application of DBS to manage rare myoclonus disorders will continue to grow. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its efficacy and support refractory-myoclonus treatment paradigms.