Hemispherotomy and Functional Hemispherectomy: Indications and Outcomes

Abstract

Hemispherectomy constitutes an established surgical method in the management of patients with medically intractable epilepsy secondary to severe unilateral hemisphere damage. As opposed to focal resections, in hemispherotomies, the entire hemisphere is disconnected from the remaining nervous system, including the functional regions and fibers. Despite this, hemispherotomy is recommended for certain indications, and has good functional and epilepsy outcomes. Here we describe the indications, epilepsy outcomes, and surgical techniques for several hemispheric surgeries.