Burr Hole Hemispherotomy: Case Series

Hemispherotomy represents definitive treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy with unilateral hemispheric onset. Traditional approaches involve a large incision and open craniotomy, with associated risks of blood loss, infection, poor wound healing, pain, cosmetic concerns, and long hospital stays. The authors describe a minimally invasive hemispherotomy technique through a single burr hole overlying the Sylvian fissure. A case series of the first cohort of patients to undergo this procedure is detailed to provide an initial evaluation of the safety and efficacy of this approach.

A retrospective analysis was performed on the first 7 patients to have undergone burr hole hemispherotomy at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Data on demographics, hospital stay, complications, completeness of disconnection, and postoperative seizure control were collected.

Hemispherotomy was performed through a 15 to 18 mm burr hole on 7 patients-4 with epilepsy due to perinatal stroke, 1 with hemispheric malformation including schizencephaly, and 2 with a history of traumatic brain injury. Patient ages ranged from 18 months to 21 years at surgery. Complete hemispheric disconnection was achieved in all cases. Estimated blood loss was minimal (mean 25.7 cc, median 20, range 20-50) with no perioperative blood transfusions, intraoperative complications, or deaths. One patient returned to the operating room for closure of a wound dehiscence secondary to a fall. Opioid usage was minimal, with an average total postoperative opioid usage through postoperative day 5 of 468.9 morphine µg/kg equivalents (median 372.6 µg/kg, range 0.0-1751.7 µg/kg). One patient experienced a delayed ipsilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage with self-limited symptoms. All patients experienced substantial reduction in seizure burden, with 71% (5/7) achieving Engel Class IA outcome. No patients developed hydrocephalus or shunt malfunction.

The burr hole hemispherotomy approach consistently achieved complete hemispheric disconnection and represents a viable surgical approach. Preliminary results suggest a favorable risk profile.