functional hemispherectomy

Functional hemispherectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat severe, ongoing epilepsy that originates from one side of the brain. Instead of removing the entire hemisphere (half) of the brain, the surgeon disconnects and isolates the problematic side, stopping abnormal electrical activity from spreading. This approach preserves most brain tissue and functions, reducing the risks associated with removing entire brain parts. It’s typically performed on children with conditions like Rasmussen’s encephalitis or catastrophic epilepsy, and can significantly reduce or eliminate seizures, improving quality of life.