SUCCESSFUL epilepsy surgery at CMCH

Ludhiana, March 17, 2013: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disease in the world, and is present in 4% of the world population. In 15-20% of these patients, the condition is not adequately controlled with anticonvulsive medicines. Such patients are potential candidates for surgical treatment of epilepsy. Epilepsy surgery involves a neurosurgical procedure where an area of brain involved in seizures is resected, disconnected or stimulated. The goal is to eliminate seizures or significantly reduce seizure burden.

It is a common fact in developing countries like India, where epilepsy surgery is not considered as a favorable mode of treatment due to lack of adequate resources and a belief among many physicians that epilepsy can't be totally cured through surgery. More recently, surgery is being considered as a better treatment option because studies have shown that the earlier surgery is performed, the better the outcome.

Epilepsy surgery require comprehensive epilepsy care programme, which was till recent time available in few centers across country. But now this program has also been started at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana.

Neurosurgery team led by Prof Sarvpreet S Grewal conducted its first successful epilepsy surgery on a 36-year-old labourer. This patient was having repeated seizures since last three years and were not controlled on medicines. He was investigated and found to be a candidate for surgical treatment of epilepsy. Surgical team led by Dr. Sukhdeep Singh Jhawar and Dr. Pransu Bhargava successfully conducted the surgery in CMCH. After operation patient is seizure free, but has to take drugs for sometime according to doctors.

Dr. Sukhdeep Singh Jhawar told our reporter that epilepsy surgery involve teamwork between various specialists like epileptologist, neurosurgeon, neuroradiologist and neuropsychologist and involves specialised tests which include MRI and video EEG. All these facilities are available at CMCH Ludhiana. He also informed that a special OPD dedicated to epilepsy would also be started soon, so that proper patients can be selected for surgery and given best possible care.

Dr. Sarvpreet S Grewal emphasised the importance of long-term social and cognitive benefits of this procedure. He also told that after cure these people could contribute to society in a better way. It is essentially important for epilepsy-affected people to have a positive outlook and a strong sense of self-esteem and independence, with emphasis on abilities rather than difficulties.