Transsylvian Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy

A number of different surgical techniques are effective for treatment of drug-resistant medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Of these, transsylvian selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SA), which was originally developed to maximize temporal lobe preservation, is arguably the most technically demanding to perform. Recent studies have equivocally suggested that SA may result in better neuropsychological outcomes with similar postoperative seizure control as standard anteromedial temporal lobectomy and amygdalohippocampectomy (ATL), which involves removal of the lateral temporal neocortex. The anteromedial temporal lobectomy is discussed in its own dedicated chapter.

Because of the technical complexity of SA, presumed risks, and required familiarity...