Epilepsy can often be controlled with medication and other interventions so that a certain standard of life quality can be achieved. For some people with this disorder, however, those interventions that were once effective can begin to stop working. People may start having seizures, episodes, or unusual symptoms that could be potentially dangerous. One of the solutions that has been offered to correct this problem is the left temporal lobectomy.
There are many advantages to consider when thinking about this particular surgery, but there are some disadvantages that must be considered as well. Here is a look at the pros and cons of a left temporal lobectomy.
The Pros of a Left Temporal Lobectomy
1. It can stop seizures permanently.
If someone has been suffering from seizures because of their epilepsy and they cannot be controlled in other ways, then this surgery could provide a solution. There is the possibility that someone can be seizure-free throughout the remainder of their life thanks to this surgery. Some people with epilepsy can even go off of most, if not all, of their medications once they have fully recovered from the operation.
2. Memory issues can happen, but the issues are usually mild.
There is always a risk with brain surgery that a person’s memory is going to be affected in some way. After a left temporal lobectomy has been successfully completed, a doctor will monitor their patient for memory issues. MRIs are often ordered to track healing and memory output. The most common outcome is an issue with extremely short-term memory.
3. It ultimately saves money.
The medications that are required to help control epilepsy can have a dramatic cost associated with them. When the outcomes of the left temporal lobectomy are successful, many of these medications can go away for good. The resulting outcome is an improved financial outlook because the sometimes expensive medications no longer need to be purchased.
4. The surgery can be performed at any age.
Many people believe that epilepsy is a childhood disorder, but it actually becomes more common as people grow older. It is a disorder that is not confined to any specific age decade. It affects genders equally, but 67% of the new cases of epilepsy are found in the developing world. Accidents and injuries happen as a result of seizures, which means everyone with epilepsy has the chance to have their average life span restored to rates comparable to the general population. Every age group is a viable candidate for the left temporal lobectomy.
5. Many side effects go away on their own.
The left temporal lobectomy is a surgery that has generally low complication rates. Many of the side effects which occur eventually go away on their own over time. This includes numbness around the scalp, speaking difficulties, fatigue, nausea, and headaches. Some people feel a continued aura during their recovery period, as if they were about to have a seizure. It generally takes up to 8 weeks for symptoms to begin subsiding.
6. The scar from the surgery is usually hidden.
Although the surgery is generally considered to be invasive, the scar from the surgery won’t usually be visible. A person’s hairline can cover the scar rather effectively so that only those who know they went through the surgery in the first place will have any clue that it is even there.
7. The cost of the surgery is usually covered.
Because this surgery is often considered to be a necessary treatment, it is very rare for it to not be adequately covered by insurance plans, medical scholarships, and other financial possibilities. This limits the costs a family must endure in order to achieve a better standard of life.
The Cons of a Left Temporal Lobectomy
1. It won’t stop all seizures in all patients.
There is a 30% risk in every patient who undergoes a left temporal lobectomy that their seizures will return. Some people may experience a reduction in the number or severity of their seizures, while others may not see any change at all. This is why the operation is generally only recommended for those who are struggling to keep their epilepsy under control.
2. There is an enhanced risk for stroke.
Everyone who goes through this operation will have a slightly higher risk of stroke than the general population from a long-term perspective. Most people believe that taking on the higher risks to potentially eliminate seizures and other bothersome symptoms is worthwhile, but this is still a consideration that each person must evaluate with their doctor because lifestyle habits and a person’s medical history can contribute to these factors.
3. The flight or fight mechanism may become impaired.
Some patients who have a left temporal lobectomy find that they have reduced feelings of fear after they have recovered from their surgery. It isn’t just the standard phobias that all humans have on some level that are affected. Even the flight or fight mechanism is altered so that people won’t always recognize when they need to leave a situation, which could put their life at risk.
4. Language functions can begin to deteriorate after the surgery.
Because the left temporal lobectomy is altering the electrical discharges that are occurring in the brain, there is a chance that cognitive understanding can be affected and begin to deteriorate during the recovery period. Even though a person may become seizure-free as a result, a side effect of this may be that their language functions begin to degrade. This includes comprehension, speech communication, and other forms of person-to-person understanding.
5. Anti-seizure medication must still be taken for some time.
Most doctors recommend that their patients continue taking anti-seizure medications for at least 24 months after the left temporal lobectomy has been completed. Too much or too little of this medication can cause seizures to be artificially created during the recovery period, so frequent doctor appointments are required to maintain health after the surgery has been completed.
6. Not everyone with epilepsy is a viable candidate for this surgery.
The goal of the left temporal lobectomy is to remove the abnormal parts of the brain so that the bothersome epilepsy can be reduced or eliminated. The only problem is that not everyone has an abnormal part of their brain that is accessible to a surgery. This means that not everyone is a viable candidate for this surgery and a battery of neurological tests are required in order to determine who is one.
7. Seizures can still be triggered randomly.
Alcohol and caffeine are two common triggers for epilepsy and they can cause seizures to occur at random even if a surgery has been deemed to be successful. Fatigue is another common trigger. Even construction noises can be bothersome. By avoiding these triggers, the surgery is more likely to be successful.
Is This Procedure Right For You?
Only you and your doctor can decide if a left temporary lobectomy is appropriate for your medical history. Use these pros and cons to have a meaningful discussion and always consider getting a second opinion.