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CNI Epilepsy Center
Patient Care
Epilepsy Surgeries
While the initial treatment for seizure disorders is medication, some patients are unable to control or stop seizures through these methods. In these cases, surgery may be an option. The goal of epilepsy surgery is to improve seizure control but, in many cases, these procedures can completely stop seizures. Specific epilepsy surgeries include:
- Lobectomies: Used to treat partial seizure disorders. This procedure involves removing tissue from the frontal, temporal, parietal, or occipital lobe. Only that small part of the brain that is thought to be damaged and causing seizures is removed. Some parts can be removed safely but since each lobe of the brain performs specific functions minor deficits may occur. It is important for the patient to completely understand the possible deficits that may result from surgery in that area.
- Hemispherectomy: Used to treat partial seizure disorders and occasionally for certain generalized seizure problems. This procedure is usually performed on children with severe, frequent seizures. Of all the surgical procedures, hemispherectomy has the highest success rate in stopping seizures.
- Corpus Callosotomy: Used in the treatment of generalized seizures such as generalized tonic clonic seizures and also atonic seizures commonly called "drop seizures". This procedure involves disconnecting the fibers between the two halves (hemispheres) of the brain. This procedure is not a cure for epilepsy. However, it may stop or significantly limit the number of "drop seizures" and decrease the chance of injuries commonly caused by these attacks.
As with any surgery, certain risks must be considered when contemplating epilepsy surgery. It is important for patients to discuss these with their doctors before considering this treatment option.
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