Epilepsy surgery removes an area of abnormal tissue in the brain, such as a tumor or scar tissue, or the specific area of brain tissue where seizures begin. Before surgery, you may have several tests (including an electroencephalogram [EEG], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and video monitoring) to find exactly where seizures begin in the brain. After the area of abnormal tissue where your seizures begin has been located, doctors can decide whether or not it can be removed safely.
Surgery is usually done in a hospital that is associated with an epilepsy center. The surgery usually takes a few hours, and you have to stay in the hospital for a few days afterward. It may be several months or more before you feel fully back to normal. Surgery can greatly improve the lives of some people who have epilepsy.
Candidates Fit For Epilepsy Surgery :
- Patient has tried 2 or 3 drugs for more then 2 years
- Patient has atleast one fit minor/major per week on an average.
- Patient has side effects from taking drugs to control epilepsy
Surgery Choices
The type of epilepsy surgery depends on the location in the brain in which seizures start.