During awake extratemporal cortical resection, a section of the brain cortex outside of the temporal lobe is cut away. The patient is kept awake during the procedure to make sure that the motor control and language sections of the brain are not resected.
Also Known As:
- Brain surgery
- Cortex surgery
- Brain cortex surgery
Conditions Treated with Awake Extratemporal Cortical Resection:
Awake extratemporal cortical resection is used in cases of epilepsy. The procedure removes the section of the brain that is causing the seizure-provoking impulses.
Non-surgical alternatives to awake extratemporal cortical resection include a ketogenic diet and anticonvulsant medication. Surgical alternatives to the procedure include temporal lobectomy, corpus callostomy, vagus nerve stimulation and extratemporal cortical resection.
Anesthesia with Awake Extratemporal Cortical Resection:
Awake extratemporal cortical resection is performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is asleep and completely unaware during the procedure.
Potential Complications from Awake Extratemporal Cortical Resection:
Possible risks following awake extratemporal cortical resection include stroke, partial seizures, brain swelling, infection and a negative reaction to the anesthesia. It is also possible to experience intracranial bleeding, difficulty speaking and loss of memory or coordination.
Prognosis after Awake Extratemporal Cortical Resection:
The prognosis for a positive end result following awake extratemporal cortical resection is fair. The procedure effectively stops high-risk seizures in approximately half of patients.
Recovery from Awake Extratemporal Cortical Resection:
The total recovery time after awake extratemporal cortical resection is four to six weeks.