The conference aims to update the latest knowledge in the field of epilepsy surgery, for neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuropsychologists, internal medicine, pediatricians, diagnostic imaging and interested medical staff.
This year's conference has more than 30 reports with the participation of 35 experts in the field of epilepsy from home and abroad.
Foreign speakers present at the conference
Experts came from many different countries and territories such as: Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, India, Korea, Indonesia... The conference attracted more than 250 delegates.
Dr. Nguyen Minh Anh, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, said that surgical treatment of epilepsy is a new concept in Vietnam. Limitations in technology and techniques are one of the major challenges. This year's 17th Asian Epilepsy Surgery Conference brings together many experts with experience in epilepsy treatment around the world. This is an opportunity for Vietnamese surgeons to learn, exchange experiences and seek cooperative relationships.
Dr. Nguyen Minh Anh, Head of Neurosurgery Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, attended the conference.
In the past, epilepsy treatment focused on the study of antiepileptic drugs and the effectiveness of their combinations. However, recent studies have shown that surgical treatment of epilepsy when indicated not only brings superior results in controlling seizures but also improves the cognitive function of the patient. In addition, the development of technical technology has brought many new methods in the treatment of epilepsy.
Surgery on epileptic children
At the pre-conference workshop, doctors from the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City demonstrated surgery and broadcast it live to the conference hall. The patient was a male child (15 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City), who had epilepsy 6 years ago and had been treated with high doses of anti-epileptic drugs but the seizures were not well controlled.
Doctors from the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, demonstrated surgery and broadcast it live to the auditorium.
At the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, the patient underwent an MRI scan and video electroencephalogram to detect the frequency and clinical features of epileptic seizures and measure neuropsychiatric function. Afterwards, doctors from the Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Diagnostic Imaging, etc. consulted with experts from the Taipei Vinh Dan Hospital (Taiwan) to plan epilepsy surgery for the patient.
After consultation, the doctors assessed that the patient had drug-resistant frontal lobe epilepsy due to focal dysplasia. This was a case that came to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City when the disease was already in a severe stage, with significant brain damage and seizures lasting for 6 years. The patient needed surgery to remove the brain damage, reduce seizures and improve quality of life.
Doctors used cortical electroencephalography during surgery, used an intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring system to prevent damage to nerve function so that all epileptic lesions could be removed during surgery. The surgery used the most modern microscope and navigation system. The surgery lasted 5 hours, after surgery the patient's seizures were reduced by 50-70%, the amount of medication taken each day and the side effects of the medication were reduced.
What is epilepsy?
Dr. Le Viet Thang, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that epilepsy is a chronic disease, characterized by epileptic seizures with symptoms (convulsions, abnormalities in sensation and behavior...) appearing suddenly and briefly depending on the location of the involved nerve cells.
Currently, there are two main methods of epilepsy surgery: Resection of the epileptic cortex and resection of the epileptic wave transmission pathway. Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital has performed surgeries such as: Corpus callosum resection, anterior temporal lobe resection, selective hippocampectomy, etc. For surgery to resect the epileptic cortex, with the help of direct cortical electroencephalography monitoring during surgery, doctors will accurately determine the location of the epileptic cortex and determine the resection area to ensure effectiveness after surgery. In the near future, the Department of Neurosurgery, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital will perform surgery to place electrodes to stimulate the vagus nerve in the treatment of epilepsy. This is considered a new method with many promises of being less invasive and highly effective. The application of new epilepsy surgery methods will open up more effective treatment opportunities for epilepsy patients.
Doctors recommend that patients with seizure symptoms need to be monitored and receive early medical care. They should go to large hospitals with full equipment and a team of highly specialized doctors for examination, assessment, consultation and appropriate treatment.
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