Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy
Surgical treatment of epilepsy, also known as “seizure disorder,” is an option that can be considered for epilepsy patients who cannot achieve seizure control with medication or who are bothered by the side effects of medications. Epilepsy surgery can help reduce or control epilepsy seizures.
Epilepsy surgery involves identifying the brain regions where epilepsy seizures originate or spread and surgically removing or disabling these regions. This treatment method may be suitable primarily for patients who are unresponsive to pharmacoresistant drug treatment.
Suitable candidates for epilepsy surgery must undergo a careful evaluation process. During this process, factors such as the type, frequency, and severity of the patient’s seizures, brain imaging results, electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, and other clinical data are taken into consideration. Brain mapping techniques can help determine the source and spread pattern of the patient’s epilepsy seizures.
Epilepsy surgery can be performed using different techniques and procedures, including focal resection (removal of the source of epilepsy seizures), corpus callosotomy (disconnection of the connection between the brain hemispheres), and multiple subpial transections (cuts made to prevent the spread of epileptic activity in the brain).
While epilepsy surgery can be a successful treatment option, it carries risks such as brain damage, infection, bleeding, and neurological complications during the surgical procedure. The treatment plan is determined individually for each patient based on their condition and the characteristics of their epilepsy seizures. After epilepsy surgery, it is important for patients to continue with regular follow-up and rehabilitation processes. Continuing medication treatment or using low doses of medication can help maintain seizure control. It is important to request detailed explanations from your physician regarding the risks of surgical intervention and what to expect after the procedure.