The early years of hemispherectomy

Pediatr Neurosurg. 2005 May-Jun;41(3):137-40. doi: 10.1159/000085870.

Abstract

Today, hemispherectomy is a well-established procedure for the treatment of some sorts of catastrophic epilepsies. This, however, has not always been the case. The technique was developed to deal with brain tumors; however, the initial results were not remarkable. Moreover, when its morbidity became evident, it was almost abandoned. Had it not been for a shift in its use, with a huge increase in operations on patients with infantile hemiplegia, this surgery would certainly have disappeared. This paper focuses on the facts that surrounded these early years.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Epilepsy / surgery
  • Hemiplegia / surgery
  • Hemispherectomy / trends*
  • Humans