Epilepsy: Surgical Options For Epilepsy

• What is epilepsy surgery?
• Who is a candidate for epilepsy surgery?
• What surgical options are available?
• How effective is epilepsy surgery?
• What are the risks of epilepsy surgery?
• Re-operations

What Is Epilepsy Surgery?

Most people with epilepsy can control their seizures with medication . However, about 30% of people with epilepsy are not able to effectively control their seizures this way. In some cases, surgery may be an option to help reduce the frequency of seizures.

Epilepsy surgery is an operation on the brain to control seizures and improve the person's quality of life. There are two main types of epilepsy surgery:

• Surgery to remove the area of the brain producing seizures
• Surgery to interrupt the nerve pathways through which seizure impulses spread within the brain

Surgery is considered only if the area of the brain where the seizures start, called the seizure focus, can be clearly identified, and if the area to be removed is not responsible for any critical functions, such as language, sensation and movement. Extensive evaluation and testing are necessary to determine if surgery is appropriate.

Who Is a Candidate for Epilepsy Surgery?

Surgery may be an option for people with epilepsy whose seizures are disabling and/or are not controlled by medication, or when the side effects of medication are severe and greatly affect the person's quality of life. Patients with other serious medical problems, such as cancer or heart disease, usually are not considered for epilepsy surgery.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Epilepsy (Seizure Disorder) - Learn about epilepsy, or seizure disorder. Causes include head injury, trauma, prenatal injury, poisoning, medications, stroke, heart attacks, alcoholism, infection, and more. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment information is included in the information. Source:Government Seizures Symptoms and Types - Read about seizure symptoms and types such as generalized, grand-mal, absence, myoclonic, clonic, tonic, atonic, and partial. Symptom listing is included in the information. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic Questions To Ask Before Surgery - Surgery questions to ask prior to having a procedure are important. Your surgeon should be available to answer your surgery questions prior to the procedure. Source:MedicineNet Read 9 more Surgical Options for Epilepsy related articles ... So Much to Do, So Little Sleep Head Injuries All Too Common in Summer Play Health Tip: The Word on Wisdom Teeth Health Tip: Make Exercise a Daily Habit New Source of Heart Stem Cells Found Health Highlights: June 23, 2008 Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis One Gene May Be Key to Myeloma Crocodile Babies Cry Out for Hatching Immune Molecule Key to Preventing Organ Rejection