Ultrasound-tailored functional hemispherectomy for surgical control of seizures in children

Functional hemispherectomy techniques have been designed to minimize the long-term complications of anatomical resection without reducing the effectiveness of seizure control. The authors have used an ultrasound-guided approach tailored to combine temporal lobectomy with frontal and occipital disconnections with a central topectomy of the lateral, insular, and interhemispheric cortex. This technique achieves a comprehensive functional disconnection and minimizes entrance and manipulation within the body of the lateral ventricle. Eight patients ranging in age from 10 months to 23 years with congenital paresis and medically intractable seizures underwent functional hemispherectomy via this technique. The average surgical time was 4.5 hours, and blood loss ranged from 90 to 400 ml. All but one patient was discharged after 5 days. Postoperative fever syndromes, aseptic meningitis, and infection were avoided. On long-term follow-up evaluation (range 18-60 months, mean 38 months), seven of eight patients remain seizure free and were not on a course of anticonvulsant agents. Advantages of this technique include avoiding entrance into the ventricle, a more predictable postoperative period, and reduced postoperative complications.