Anatomical hemispherectomy.

INTRODUCTION

Anatomical hemispherectomy is frequently employed in the surgical management of pediatric patients with medically refractory epilepsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this chapter, we review the historical evolution of this surgical procedure, outline the indications and the criteria for selecting surgical candidates and describe the important pre-operative evaluation of the surgical candidates.

DISCUSSION

We provide a detailed description of our surgical technique, anesthesiological considerations, and post-operative care plan. Ultimately we analyze the most common complications associated with this procedure.

CONCLUSION

Anatomical hemispherectomy performed in carefully selected pediatric patients with medically intractable epilepsy can be a safe and efficacious surgical procedure.