Hemispherectomy in India

What is Hemispherectomy?

Hemispherectomy (or functional hemispherotomy) is a neurosurgical operation in which a severely damaged, diseased cerebral hemisphere is functionally disconnected or removed to halt intractable seizures and save the developing contralateral brain.

Indications & Common Reasons for Surgery

This advanced neurosurgical intervention is recommended for patients diagnosed with:

• Rasmussen's encephalitis: progressive immune-mediated unilateral hemispheric inflammation.
• Sturge-Weber syndrome with extensive unilateral leptomeningeal angiomatosis.
• Hemimegalencephaly and widespread unilateral cortical dysplasia.
• Extensive perinatal middle cerebral artery infarction producing drug-resistant infantile hemiplegic epilepsy.

Surgical Techniques & Precision Modalities

Modern functional hemispherotomy (peri-insular or vertical parasagittal approach) transects internal capsule, corpus callosum, and mesial temporal connections while minimizing blood loss and hydrocephalus risk. The procedure is performed in advanced modular operating suites equipped with 3D neuronavigation, high-definition intraoperative microscopes, neuro-endoscopy, and real-time electrophysiological monitoring to preserve vital neurological functions.

Postoperative Care & Recovery Timeline

Achieves seizure freedom in 80–90% of children; remarkable pediatric neuroplasticity allows the healthy hemisphere to assume control of essential functions. Patients benefit from specialized neuro-intensive care, personalized neuro-rehabilitation, and multidisciplinary follow-up to support optimal long-term functional outcomes.

Key Clinical Benefits

• Targeted, maximal safe anatomical correction and pathology excision.
• Protection of eloquent brain areas and essential cranial nerve pathways.
• Significant alleviation of neurological symptoms and prevention of secondary brain injury.
• Accelerated recovery supported by modern microsurgical and minimally invasive techniques.