What is Epilepsy Surgery?
Epilepsy surgery is an intervention that is performed when patients with epilepsy do not respond adequately to drugs, which happens in approximately 20% of cases. This is why their quality of life is severely affected by this condition.
The surgical technique used depends on the case of each patient and consists of removing the area of the brain that produces these epileptic seizures, provided that this does not damage areas of the brain that are necessary for the correct functioning of the organism. It should be noted that there is also a benign tumor called acoustic neurinoma, which grows on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain, and can cause epileptic seizures, which should not be confused with chronic epileptic seizures. Once the tumor is surgically removed, the symptoms it causes disappear forever.
Why is it performed?
Epilepsy surgery is performed to eliminate seizures in patients suffering from this pathology and improve the patient’s quality of life. It may seem an aggressive treatment, but if conventional treatments do not work, this is always another option.
In addition, most patients turn to this type of surgery as a solution to the disease after a long treatment that has not worked. Well, it has been shown that early intervention can be effective and safe, that is, an alternative treatment to drugs and without having to spend years on medication.
Epilepsy surgery is complex but safe.
What does it consist of?
The surgery is complex but safe. It consists of removing the portion of the brain where the epileptic seizures originate. Once the epileptic focus has been located, the surgical intervention is designed according to that focus. The intervention is performed through a computer to locate the epileptic focus. Video EEG recordings will be made during the operation, and also after the surgery is performed.
Preparation for Epilepsy Surgery
First of all, a pre-surgical study is performed, implanting intracranial electrodes near the epileptic focus. After implantation, a Video-EEG recording is performed to clearly visualize the onset of the epileptic discharge and the area of the brain where the epilepsy occurs. A cerebral atheriography is performed to check whether the electrodes have been correctly positioned.
Aftercare after the operation
After the operation, the patient usually spends about 24 hours in resuscitation. The patient is then taken to the neurosurgery ward, where an exhaustive control of the patient will be carried out by means of a postoperative magnetic resonance. One week after the operation, the sutures can be removed and if everything has gone well, the patient is discharged from the hospital.
Thereafter, patients should visit the Epilepsy Surgery Unit at least once a year for clinical controls, psychological and mediation examinations. If everything goes well, the Neurosurgery specialist will reduce the medication until the minimum possible dose or none at all is maintained.
Alternatives to this treatment
If the medications indicated for this pathology do not work and epilepsy surgery is not an option, there are alternative treatments that can help to improve this disease.
- Vagus nerve stimulation: It is used for the treatment of focal seizures that cannot be controlled by medication.
- Ketogenic diet: consists of a diet based on foods that can control seizures. It is used especially in children and consists of including foods rich in fats.