Epilepsy surgery
About this test
Epilepsy surgery is a procedure to reduce seizures and improve the quality of life of people who have epilepsy. Epilepsy surgery is most effective when seizures always occur in a single area in the brain. It's not the first line of treatment. But surgery is considered when at least two antiseizure medicines haven't been successful at managing seizures.
Why it's done
Epilepsy surgery may be an option when medicines aren't able to manage seizures. This condition is known as medically refractory epilepsy. It also is called drug-resistant epilepsy. The goal of epilepsy surgery is to stop seizures or limit how bad they are. After surgery, people generally need to remain on antiseizure medicines for at least two years. Over time, they may be able to lower the dose of their medicines or stop them completely. Managing seizures is important because of the complications and health risks that can result if epilepsy isn't properly treated. Complications can include: Physical injuries during a seizure. Drowning, if the seizure occurs during a bath or swimming. Depression and anxiety. Developmental delays in children. Worsening memory or other thinking skills. Sudden death, a rare complication of epilepsy.
Risks and complications
The risks of epilepsy surgery may vary because different areas of the brain control different functions. The risks depend on the area of the brain and the type of surgery. Your surgical team explains the specific risks of your procedure and the strategies the team uses to reduce the risk of complications. Risks may include: Trouble with memory and language, which can affect your ability to communicate with and understand others. Visual changes where the fields of vision of your eyes overlap. Depression or other mood changes that can affect relationships or social well-being. Headache. Stroke.
How to prepare
To prepare for epilepsy surgery, you work with a healthcare team at a specialized epilepsy center. The healthcare team does several tests to: Learn if you are a candidate for surgery. Find the area of the brain that needs treatment. Understand in detail how that area of the brain functions. Some of these tests are performed as outpatient procedures. Others require a hospital stay.
Understanding your results
The outcomes of epilepsy surgery vary depending on the type of surgery. The expected outcome is seizure management with medicine. The most common procedure — resection of tissue in the temporal lobe — results in seizure-free outcomes for about two-thirds of people. Studies suggest that if a person takes antiseizure medicine and does not have a seizure in the first year after temporal lobe surgery, the likelihood of being seizure-free at two years is 87% to 90%. If there are no seizures in two years, the likelihood of being seizure-free is 95% at five years and 82% at 10 years. If you remain seizure-free for at least one year, your healthcare professional may consider reducing your antiseizure medicine over time. Eventually you may stop taking the medicine. Most people who have a seizure after going off their antiseizure medicine are able to manage their seizures again by restarting the medicine.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.