Treatments
Epilepsy Surgery in India
Quick answer
Epilepsy surgery removes or disconnects the brain area where seizures start. It is considered for people whose seizures continue despite trying at least two suitable medicines. The hospital stay is often around a week, plus time for detailed tests beforehand and recovery in India afterwards.
Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team · Last updated 2026-10-27
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At a glance
When seizures do not respond to medicines, doctors call it drug-resistant epilepsy. In some of these patients, seizures start from one clear spot in the brain. Removing or disconnecting that spot can greatly reduce or stop seizures.
Before surgery, a team runs detailed tests. These include video EEG (recording brain waves while filming seizures), MRI, and sometimes PET scans or memory tests. Common operations include temporal lobectomy (removing part of the temporal lobe), lesionectomy (removing a visible abnormality) and disconnection procedures.
Approaches: standard, laser
Open surgery through a skull opening remains the standard for removing larger seizure areas and visible lesions, and has the longest track record. Laser ablation through a small hole in the skull may suit small, deep targets such as the hippocampus or hypothalamic hamartoma, with a shorter stay. The choice depends on the seizure focus, the cause and what the evaluation shows.
Who needs epilepsy surgery
- Drug-resistant focal epilepsy, after two or more appropriate medicines have failed
- Seizures starting in the temporal lobe, often linked to hippocampal sclerosis (scarring)
- Seizures caused by a visible lesion such as a cortical dysplasia, tumour or cavernoma
- Children with severe epilepsy affecting development, where surgery may help early
- Drop attacks causing injuries, where corpus callosotomy (splitting a nerve bridge) may be considered
How it is done
- Pre-surgical evaluation pinpoints the seizure focus with video EEG, MRI and other tests.
- Some patients first need electrodes placed in or on the brain to record seizures more precisely.
- Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon opens a window in the skull (craniotomy).
- Using a microscope and navigation, the target area is removed or disconnected while sparing vital areas.
- The bone is replaced and fixed, and the scalp is closed.
- Seizure medicines are continued after surgery and adjusted later.
Before you travel to India
- Recent brain MRI, ideally an epilepsy-protocol scan
- EEG reports and any video EEG recordings
- A seizure diary showing type and frequency of seizures
- A full list of past and current seizure medicines with doses
- An attendant who knows your seizures, as you may need help during tests and travel
Recovery and flying home
- Hospital stay is often around a week after a craniotomy
- Video EEG evaluation before surgery may add a week or more to the trip
- Plan to stay in India for a few weeks for stitch removal and review before flying
- Light daily activities resume after some weeks, with driving rules set by your home country
- Seizure medicines usually continue for a long time and are reduced only on specialist advice
Risks
- Seizures continuing or returning after surgery
- Memory or language changes, especially with temporal lobe surgery on the dominant side
- Loss of part of the field of vision
- Infection, bleeding or stroke
- Mood changes such as low mood or anxiety
Alternatives
- Trying further seizure medicines
- Vagus nerve stimulation, a device that sends pulses through a neck nerve
- Ketogenic diet, particularly for children
- Responsive neurostimulation or deep brain stimulation, where available
Conditions treated
Hospitals in India for epilepsy surgery
- Medanta - The MedicityDelhi NCR
- AIG Hospitals, GachibowliHyderabad
- Aster MedcityKochi
- Artemis HospitalDelhi NCR
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research InstituteMumbai
- Indraprastha Apollo HospitalsDelhi NCR
- BLK-Max Super Speciality HospitalDelhi NCR
- Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, KolkataKolkata
- Continental HospitalsHyderabad
Specialists
- Dr Varindera Paul SinghMedanta - The Medicity
- Dr Abhaya KumarKokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute
Dr Ashok BhanageRuby Hall Clinic- Dr Ravi Suman ReddyYashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda
Dr Karanjit Singh NarangMedanta - The Medicity- Dr Deshpande Vasudevarao RajakumarFortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am a candidate for epilepsy surgery?
You need a detailed pre-surgical evaluation. If tests show seizures start from one area that can be removed safely, surgery may be offered. Your epileptologist and neurosurgeon decide together.
Will I have to keep taking seizure medicines?
Yes, at least for a while. Some seizure-free patients later reduce or stop medicines under close supervision. Never stop medicines on your own.
Can the pre-surgical tests be done before I travel?
MRI and routine EEG can often be done at home. Video EEG and specialised tests are usually repeated in India by the surgical team. Send what you have and they will say what else is needed.
Is epilepsy surgery done for children?
Yes. Children with severe drug-resistant epilepsy can benefit, and early surgery may protect development. Paediatric epilepsy teams assess them.
How long should I plan to be in India?
The trip includes evaluation, surgery and early recovery, so it is longer than many other operations. Some patients come for evaluation first and return later for surgery. Curaventa can help plan the stages.
Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team. Last updated 2026-10-27. General information, not medical advice. Medical editorial board · Editorial policy · How we get prices
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