Neurology
Strong Epilepsy Center
Treatments - Epilepsy Surgery
There are several types of epilepsy surgery. They include:
-
Temporal Lobectomy
This procedure is the most common type
of epilepsy surgery. The human brain contains several
parts or lobes and one of these is called the temporal lobe.
If the
tests
confirm that a patient's seizures originate in one of
the temporal lobes, then this temporal lobe can be removed.
Seventy
percent
or more of the patients who undergo this type of surgery
have marked improvement or are cured of their seizures.
-
Extratemporal Resections
If a patient's seizures come
from an area other than the temporal lobe, sometimes
this area can
also be removed. Tests are carefully administered
to be sure that this area of the brain can be removed safely.
Our goal is
to reduce seizures while preserving essential parts
of
the brain. Fifty percent of the patients who undergo
this type of surgery
have a marked reduction or elimination of their seizures.
-
Corpus Callosotomy
Patients who have seizures which
involve several different areas of the brain
may be candidates for a
corpus callosostomy. This procedure disconnects
the right and left sides of the brain in order to break
the path
taken by the
seizure. The goal of this operation is to reduce
the number of certain serious types of seizures,
such as
drop attacks. Only
a small number of patients are candidates for
corpus callosotomy.
-
Hemispherectomy
This type of surgery is performed
when one whole side of the brain is abnormal
and causes seizures.
During
this procedure, the abnormal side of the
brain is removed. When it is indicated, this type of
surgery
is usually
very successful
in eliminating seizures. It is only performed
in a few, special cases.
In preparation for surgery you should do
the following:
Whenever possible, part of the operation
for resective surgery (temporal lobectomy
and extratemporal
resections)
is done with
the patient awake. Pain medications
are given to provide relaxation and
comfort
during
the operation.
The neurosurgeon
needs your
assistance to find brain regions
responsible for movement, sensation, language and
memory so that
they can be preserved.
Most patients
find that this experience is neither
stressful nor unpleasant. During
the surgery, you may
be accompanied
by one of
the Neurophysiology Technologists
or the Nurse Practitioner, if you would
like.
Generally, corpus callosotomies and hemispherectomies are performed
with the patient asleep.
For the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after surgery,
you will be in intensive care so that the nurses can watch you
carefully.
Your scalp will be covered with a dressing for a day or two.
Most patients are able to be out of bed two days after surgery.
Plan to be in the hospital for one to two weeks. However, it
will be one to three months before you will be ready to return
to work or school.
After surgery you may experience some of these post-operative
symptoms. Usually, these symptoms go away spontaneously.
