Operative Techniques in Epilepsy

This book describes the specific surgical techniques currently employed in patients with intractable epilepsy; it also covers the relevant technical aspects of general neurosurgery. All of the approaches associated with the various foci of epilepsy within the cerebral hemispheres are considered, including temporal and frontal lobectomies and corticectomies, parietal and occipital lobe resections, corpus callosotomy, hemispherectomy, and multiple subpial incisions. In addition, an individual chapter is devoted to electrocortical stimulation and functional localization of the so-called eloquent cortex. The more general topics on which guidance is provided include bipolar coagulation (with coverage of the physical principles, strength of the coagulating current, use of coagulation forceps, the advantages of correct irrigation, and use of cottonoid patties) and all of the measures required during the performance of operations under local anesthesia. The book is designed to meet the need for a practically oriented source of precise information on the operative procedures employed in epilepsy patients and will be of special value for neurosurgical residents and fellows.

John P. Girvin, MD, PhD, FRCS(C), is Professor Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario, where he was Professor in the Departments of Physiology and Clinical Neurological Sciences from 1984 to 2001. He was Chair of the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences at the university from 1984 to 1990 and Chair of the Division of Neurosurgery from 1990 to 1999. Dr. Girvin became a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery in 1984. He served as President of The Canadian Neurosurgical Society in 1995-6 and chaired the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada Specialty Committee of Neurosurgery from 1991 to 1997. In 2001 Dr. Girvin was appointed Chair of the Department of Neurosciences at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and he held this position until 2005. He was Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences from 1991 to 1997 and Co-Chairman of the Journal of Neurosurgery from 1999 to 2001; he has also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Epilepsy. Dr. Girvin has published almost 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals.