Duration of Treatment
Usually takes 3 to 4 hours
Days of Stay
Usually 7 days in the hospital and 15 days outside the hospital.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia.
Cost
On Request
⚡🧠 What Is Epilepsy Treatment?
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures, caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The goal of epilepsy treatment is to control or eliminate seizures, improve quality of life, and minimize side effects.
Types of Epilepsy Treatment:
- Medication (Anti-Seizure Drugs) – First Line
- Most common and effective treatment
- About 70% of patients become seizure-free with medications
- Common drugs:
- Carbamazepine
- Valproate
- Lamotrigine
- Levetiracetam
- Requires regular dosage and monitoring
- Epilepsy Surgery
- Recommended when seizures are not controlled by medication (drug-resistant epilepsy)
- Types include:
- Temporal lobectomy
- Lesionectomy (removal of tumor or scar)
- Corpus callosotomy (disconnects brain hemispheres to reduce spread of seizures)
- Success rate: 60–80% become seizure-free
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
- A pacemaker-like device implanted in the chest
- Sends electrical impulses to the brain via the vagus nerve
- Helps reduce frequency and intensity of seizures
- Ketogenic Diet (especially in children)
- High-fat, low-carb diet that helps control seizures
- Particularly effective in pediatric epilepsy cases
- Requires medical supervision by a dietician and neurologist
- Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) / Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
- Advanced surgical techniques for patients with localized seizure activity
- Still limited in availability but growing in India
- Psychological and Behavioral Therapy
- Supports those with epilepsy-related anxiety, depression, or cognitive issues
- Often used alongside medical treatment
Preparation for Epilepsy
Preparing for epilepsy surgery involves a detailed and multidisciplinary approach to ensure the safety and success of the procedure. The process begins with a thorough medical evaluation, including a review of the patient’s seizure history, current medications, and neurological function. Several advanced diagnostic tests are conducted to accurately pinpoint the region of the brain where seizures originate. These typically include prolonged video EEG monitoring, MRI scans, PET or SPECT imaging, and sometimes a Wada test to assess language and memory functions of each brain hemisphere. A team of specialists—neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, and neuropsychologists—then collectively analyze the data to decide whether surgery is appropriate and which type would be most effective.
Post-Procedure
After epilepsy surgery, the patient is typically transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring of vital signs, neurological status, and recovery from anesthesia. In the first 24–48 hours, doctors observe for any signs of complications such as bleeding, swelling, or infection. Pain and discomfort at the surgical site are managed with medications. As the patient stabilizes, they are moved to a regular hospital room, where recovery continues for several days.
Post-operative care also involves neurological assessments, imaging tests, and blood work to monitor the healing process and the effectiveness of the surgery. Anti-seizure medications are usually continued for some time, even if the patient becomes seizure-free, and later adjusted based on the neurologist’s evaluation. Most patients can expect to stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days, depending on their recovery and the type of surgery performed.
Post-Procedure
After epilepsy surgery, the patient is typically transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring of vital signs, neurological status, and recovery from anesthesia. In the first 24–48 hours, doctors observe for any signs of complications such as bleeding, swelling, or infection. Pain and discomfort at the surgical site are managed with medications. As the patient stabilizes, they are moved to a regular hospital room, where recovery continues for several days.
Post-operative care also involves neurological assessments, imaging tests, and blood work to monitor the healing process and the effectiveness of the surgery. Anti-seizure medications are usually continued for some time, even if the patient becomes seizure-free, and later adjusted based on the neurologist’s evaluation. Most patients can expect to stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days, depending on their recovery and the type of surgery performed.
Success Rates
Epilepsy surgery has shown high success rates, especially in carefully selected patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy (seizures that originate from a specific part of the brain). The overall success of the procedure depends on the type of surgery, the location of seizure activity, and how well the patient follows post-surgical care and medication. In cases of temporal lobe epilepsy, the most commonly performed epilepsy surgery, about 65% to 80% of patients become completely seizure-free after the operation. For lesionectomy (removal of a tumor or damaged brain tissue), the success rate is similarly high when the lesion is well-defined and accessible.
Other types of surgery, such as corpus callosotomy or functional hemispherectomy, do not always eliminate seizures entirely but can significantly reduce their severity and frequency—often by 50–70%, improving quality of life, especially in children with severe epilepsy. Long-term studies show that many patients continue to enjoy seizure freedom or improved control even 5–10 years post-surgery. However, success also depends on ongoing neurological follow-ups, medication management, and rehabilitation. With proper care, epilepsy surgery offers a life-changing opportunity for patients whose seizures are not controlled by medication.
FAQs from Doctors
1. Who is eligible for epilepsy surgery?
Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (seizures not controlled by 2 or more anti-seizure medications) and a clearly localized seizure focus are usually candidates. A detailed evaluation is needed.
2. Will I be seizure-free after surgery?
Success rates vary by type of epilepsy. 65–80% of patients (especially with temporal lobe epilepsy) become completely seizure-free, while others experience a significant reduction.
3. Is epilepsy surgery safe?
Yes. It is performed with high precision and safety protocols. Risks are low but may include bleeding, infection, memory issues, or temporary speech problems, depending on the brain area involved.
4. How long is the hospital stay?
Typically, patients stay for 5 to 7 days, including ICU and regular ward recovery. Full recovery may take a few weeks.
5. Will I need to continue taking seizure medications?
Yes, initially. Medications may be gradually reduced or stopped based on your post-surgery condition and neurologist’s advice.
6. What type of surgery will I need?
It depends on your seizure type and location. Common types include temporal lobectomy, lesionectomy, corpus callosotomy, or functional hemispherectomy (in children).
7. Are there side effects after surgery?
Most patients recover well. Some may experience temporary memory loss, fatigue, or speech difficulty, especially if surgery involves the dominant hemisphere.
8. Can seizures return after surgery?
There is a small chance. About 20–35% may experience some recurrence over time, but seizures are usually less severe and less frequent.
9. Is epilepsy surgery performed in India?
Yes. India has many world-class neurology centers with expert surgeons, modern facilities, and high success rates at an affordable cost.
10. How much does epilepsy surgery cost in India?
Depending on the type of surgery and hospital, the cost typically ranges between ₹2.5 lakhs to ₹6 lakhs ($3,000–$7,200 approx).
