Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures. When medicine doesn’t work well enough to control these seizures, surgery might be an option. Surgery can help reduce the number of seizures you have or even stop them altogether.
Imagine a life free of seizures with epilepsy surgery
At Tufts Medicine, we offer epilepsy surgery using the latest techniques. This includes implanting devices to help control brain signals and removing the part of the brain where seizures start. This surgery is for people whose seizures don't get better with medication. The main goal is to help reduce the number of seizures or stop them completely.
Even if you know what triggers your seizures, they can still feel overwhelming. The good news is that we can help make things easier for you. With procedures and technology, like the RNS® system and vagus nerve stimulators, we can help lessen your seizures and make life more manageable.
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Conditions
Seizures linked to epilepsy happen when clusters of nerve cells (or neurons) in the brain send out signals that get crossed.
People on the verge of an epileptic seizure may have strange sensations and emotions or behave differently than normal. During a seizure, they may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness.
Testing
People who can benefit most from epilepsy surgery have seizures that always start in the same part of their brain. To find out where these seizures come from, we create a map of the brain's electrical activity using 2 methods:
- Noninvasive EEG monitoring: This method uses small sensors, called electrodes, placed on your scalp. These sensors record the electrical signals from your brain.
- Invasive monitoring: Sometimes, we need to place special tools directly on the surface of the brain or inside it. These tools help us learn more about your seizures. Our team has a lot of experience safely putting in and taking out these devices.
These tools help us understand how your brain works and where the seizures start. Together, they provide important information so we can find the best treatment for you.
Treatments
Thinking about epilepsy surgery can bring up a lot of feelings, and that’s completely normal. Our neurosurgery and neurology teams are here to support you. We’ll help you understand your treatment options, explain the risks and benefits of surgery and tell you what to expect during recovery. You’re not alone in this — we’re with you every step of the way.
Removing the seizures’ origin
Sometimes, the best way to stop seizures is to remove the part of the brain that causes them. This is called a temporal lobectomy or a focal resection.
In this procedure, we take out a small piece of the brain—about the size of a quarter. This can help reduce seizure activity or even stop it completely. For about 60–80% of patients, this surgery can provide freedom from seizures.
RNS System®
When medication isn't enough to control your seizures, and removing the source isn’t safe or practical, we often suggest the RNS® System by NeuroPace. This device is like a small computer that a surgeon places in your brain. The RNS® System helps your nervous system better control the electrical signals it sends, which can help reduce seizures.
Vagus nerve stimulators
A vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is a small device that we place near your neck. You can think of it like a conductor for an orchestra, sending gentle electrical signals through your vagus nerve. This helps keep your nervous system in sync, which can help reduce seizures.
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