Chennai hospital introduces advanced surgery programme for drug-resistant epilepsy

S. Muthukani, senior consultant neurosurgeon and epileptologist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai; Dr. Arvind Sukumaran, senior consultant neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, with patients during a press meet on epilepsy care, in Chennai on Thursday 
| Photo Credit: Akhila Easwaran

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, on Thursday (February 13, 2025) announced a significant advancement in epilepsy treatment: a surgery programme aimed at improving care for people with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Addressing mediapersons in the city, leading specialists from Apollo Hospitals, including Arvind Sukumaran, senior consultant neurosurgeon, and S. Muthukani, senior consultant neurologist and epileptologist, highlighted the urgent need for surgical intervention, noting that epilepsy patients continue to experience seizures despite medication.

“Epilepsy impacts patients’ quality of life. Many face significant social stigma, leading to isolation and psychological distress,” said Dr. Sukumaran, adding, “Through this programme, we aim to provide effective treatment that can help patients regain normalcy and independence.”

The advanced epilepsy surgery programme employs state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technologies, including augmented reality-enabled neuro-navigation, intraoperative ultrasound, and intraoperative electrocorticography. With advanced imaging techniques such as 3T MRI, a dedicated video EEG suite, and PET CT scanning, specialists can now achieve greater precision in both diagnosis and treatment.

Speaking at the event, Sangeetha, who underwent the epilepsy surgery, said: “I want others living with epilepsy to never stop looking for a solution or a diagnosis.”

Experts also raised awareness about lesser-known epilepsy symptoms. “Not all epilepsy cases present with obvious seizures. Symptoms like brief staring spells, sudden confusion, or even repeated unusual sensations can indicate an underlying issue,” explained Dr. Muthukani.

The programme has already demonstrated promising results, with 15 pilot surgeries performed and 13 patients achieving complete seizure freedom. Plans are afoot to introduce robotic stereotactic EEG technology, further enhancing epilepsy care in India.