Recently developed robotic surgical assistant devices show incredible potential to improve outcomes after epilepsy surgery. By creating a 3D map of the brain, these surgical navigation and positioning systems help surgeons to accurately place instruments in the brain in a more minimally invasive way, without the need for a large craniotomy, and shaving the patient’s head.
With robotic surgery, you can typically expect a shorter recovery time and to get back to your everyday life more quickly. After the surgery, you’ll be closely monitored in the hospital for up to 10 days while off your medication. As seizures occur while being monitored, the electrodes will allow the care team to identify the area in the brain where the seizure originated. After a period of data analysis and case review, your doctor might schedule a laser ablation to target the misfiring region of the brain – reducing the amount of seizures you have, or even curing them.
The robotic surgical assistant technology allows surgeons to perform many other neurosurgical procedures, such as deep tumor biopsies and deep brain stimulation, in the same minimally invasive way.
If you’re interested in learning more about how robotic surgical assistant technology can help you, please speak with your neurologist, neurosurgeon or primary care doctor.
